V.V. Giri National Labour Institute jointly with the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relation (ICRIER) is organizing a two-day National Conference on “Changing World of Work” with the theme “Labour in Transition : Rethinking Skill, AI and Inclusive Growth” on the 9th and 10th October 2025. The conference will feature debates, keynote addresses and Q&A sessions focusing on prevalent issues while aiming to bring together policymakers, academics, researchers and industry leaders to engage in critical discussions on the transformations reshaping the world of work – driven by technological innovation, particularly Artificial Intelligence, digital platforms, and automation. As the global labour market undergoes rapid restructuring, issues related to employment transitions, productivity, and the changing nature of skills have taken centre stage in both policy and academic discourse. The conference will provide a platform to deliberate on the implications of these changes for workers, employers, and policymakers, with a focus on fostering inclusive and future-ready labour policies.
Concept Note: The world of work is evolving with technological advancements. With the transformations in technology, the global economic dynamics are changing the labour landscape and employment opportunities. Past industrial revolutions—mechanization, mass production, and digitization—had mixed impacts on employment, particularly for low-skilled workers, offering both opportunities and challenges (NICVA, Mokyr J., Strotz R. 1998). The fourth industrial revolution (IR4), driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies, present even more complexities. Unlike previous shifts, it globally impacts jobs even at the higher end of the skill spectrum (Li L. 2022). The rapid adoption of AI is set to shape the future of work by automating certain tasks while also generating new employment opportunities.
Although some roles may be displaced by AI-driven automation, it is also anticipated to enhance human productivity, paving the way for emerging industries and job categories. The future of work, therefore presents both opportunities and challenges. While on the one hand, technological advancement has emerged as a powerful catalyst for economic growth, unleashing nation’s potential to expand production capabilities and transforming labour through increased efficiency, scale, and quality. AI has the ability not only to automate routine tasks but also to enhance strategic business functions like forecasting, diagnostics, and customer interaction. As a result, economies are gradually shifting from labour-intensive to capital- and technology-intensive industries. At the same time, while this transition is expected to foster modernization and enhance productivity, it also introduces profound uncertainties for the future of work, particularly in terms of job displacement and re-skilling needs. The recent surge in AI has sparked concerns about the pace of technological transformation and its potential to disrupt labour markets in an unprecedented manner (ILO, 2018).
The economic impact of AI, both in the short and long term, exhibits strong correlations with key indicators such as capital investment, GDP growth, and returns on capital. For instance, the early and eventual adoption of artificial intelligence is favourably correlated with economic indices that increase capital investment, dividends from capital, incomes for labour, and bring economic growth (Somjai et al.,2020). By integrating predictive algorithms across various sectors, AI enhances operational efficiency and stimulates sales, contributing positively to overall economic performance.
Advancement and broad adoption of AI could help rejuvenate stagnant productivity growth and enhance overall well-being at the firm level (OECD, 2024). Since 1980s, employment has shifted from moderately paid production and clerical roles to higher-paid professional positions and lower-paid service jobs. These new roles emerge both from technologies that complement existing job functions and from demand shocks that boost overall output (Autor, 2022). It is also noted that machines are particularly effective at replacing humans in routine tasks, while an increase in such routine work enhances the productivity of non-routine, cognitive tasks. As a result, while machines have displaced labour in many areas, they have also proven to complement human effort in complex, non-routine tasks, thereby enhancing productivity (Autor, Levy, & Murnane, 2003).
A range of global projections reflects this optimism. According to Goldman Sachs, AI could accelerate productivity growth by 0.7 to 1.3 per cent points annually in many emerging markets over the next decade, potentially contributing $7 trillion to global GDP. Similarly, the McKinsey Global Institute estimates Gen AI alone could add $17 to $25 trillion to the global economy, on top of the gains already anticipated from increased automation (McKinsey Report, 2023). Amid these promising forecasts, some industry insiders adopt a more techno-optimistic view, envisioning scenarios in which AI drives explosive economic growth. It is speculated that the global economy could expand by 30 per cent annually due to rapid AI integration.
Specifically for India, these emerging trends combined with its competitive strengths in technology, services, and human capital, position it to emerge as a stronger player in the technology space, that can translate into more jobs. India’s performance in the Government AI Readiness Index 2024 reaffirms its growing strategic importance, as it leads the South and Central Asia region with a score of 62.81. A joint study by Deloitte and NASSCOM anticipates a significant surge in demand for AI professionals in India from 0.65 million to 1.25 million over the next two to three years. This sharp rise highlights a widening demand-supply gap in the talent pool, calling for urgent investments in education and skill development (Deloitte, 2024).
The country’s proactive stance on policy and institutional readiness positions it well to harness AI’s transformative potential in the coming years. The optimism around AI are rooted in the belief known as the ‘productivity bandwagon’- the idea that technological progress inherently boosts productivity, which in turn uplifts wages and generates wealth across economies (IMF, 2023). While this view underlines AI’s revolutionary potential, it also underscores the importance of inclusive policy frameworks that address the accompanying challenges, especially in employment transitions, social protection, and workforce upskilling. Ultimately, the future of work in the age of AI will not only depend on technological innovation but also on the ability of institutions to adapt, regulate, and empower workers within this evolving landscape.
Recent experiences indicate that AI has the potential to create positive ripple effects on both the number and quality of jobs, while challenges related labour displacement remain, the key to harnessing AI’s benefits lies in effective skill development. To reap the benefits from technological advancement and AI, substantial efforts are required to raise the skill set of both the current and future workforce. Historically, with the advancement and innovation in technology, job displaced by automation have been countered by the creation of new employment. Reskilling for AI can be helpful in unlocking new opportunities.
While AI has the potential to displace certain jobs, but it also offers opportunities to reshape tasks within existing roles, allowing workers to concentrate on higher-value functions. As AI takes over repetitive and routine activities, there is a growing need for distinctly human abilities, such as advanced problem-solving and effective interpersonal communication, paving the way for new skills and innovative work methods.
Note: Note- The conference papers with empirical or data-driven insights on the abovementioned tracks are especially encouraged. Contributions offering theoretical, conceptual and interdisciplinary perspectives are also warmly welcomed.
Full- Paper Submission Guidelines
- Papers should be in the range of 5000-7000 words, excluding diagrams, figures and tables.
- Paper should be in 12-point Times New Roman font with 1.5 spacing.
- Please ensure that mathematical equations, variables, and notations are presented correctly. Make appropriate use of superscripts and subscripts in your footnotes and endnotes.
- Figures, tables, and diagrams should be clear and properly labelled.
- The preferred referencing format for citations is APA style.
- A reference list- in the alphabetical order should be provided at the end of the paper.
- Papers must include a 200–300-word abstract with maximum 5 key words.
- Plagiarised and AI-generated papers must be strictly avoided
- The author/(s) must indicate their preferred conference track.
- Papers must be submitted in DOCX file format via the google-form link. No submissions will be entertained through email or any other form of communication.
- The file name should include the author’s name and short title of the paper. (E.g. Author’sName_ArtificialIntelligence_Paper.docx)
- Please attach a short bio-note of authors and co-authors in the google form.
- The Google form link for the submission is- https://forms.gle/fDen7MhjMBWoJyp89
Deadline for submitting full paper: 6 September, 2025
Notification of Acceptance: 13th September 2025
(Selected papers may be considered for publication by reputed academic publishers, subject to peer review)
