专访国际劳工组织就业专家玛丽·肯特：AI或成全球经济均衡器

快速迭代的人工智能（AI）等数字技术在持续迸发新可能的同时，很多关乎年轻一代成长和发展的问题仍有待回答：AI会增加还是削减工作岗位？对于弥合不同国家年轻人的数字鸿沟，AI是机遇还是挑战？ *** 如何帮助年轻人发展必要的的学习和数字技能？未来AI人才培养或AI教育将会成为跨国合作的驱动力还是竞争格局的一部分？

8月15日，国际劳工组织亚太技能和就业能力专家玛丽·肯特在重庆参加2024世界青年发展论坛数字发展主题论坛期间接受中青报·中青网记者专访，就上述问题分享了自己的看法。

《国际劳工组织》2023年8月发布的一项研究显示，就业岗位更可能被生成式AI扩充而不是被“自动化”，AI有可能创造出新的工作岗位，这促使劳动者需要掌握帮助他们适应和优化技术的能力。采访中，肯特援引这项研究的结果进一步指出，全球经济仍将保持多元化，不同类型的就业岗位需要掌握不同技能的年轻人才，因此AI有可能成为全球经济的均衡器，成为促进平等、合作和交流的工具，帮助人们更便捷地参与到全球经济活动中来。

肯特曾在中国工作多年。在肯特眼里，中国青年充满活力又勤奋努力，对技术和变革充满渴望。“中国青年有着光明的未来。”肯特期待有更多中国年轻人参与到推动全球实现可持续发展目标的过程中来。（中青报·中青网见习记者 马子倩 记者 白杨 徐丹阳 实习生 郭庆）

(Topic) Exclusive Interview with Mary Kent, Skills and Employability Specialist for the International Labour Organization in Asia Pacific: Artificial Intelligence May Become the Equalizer of the Global Economy

As rapidly iterating digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) continue to create new opportunities, many questions about the growth and development of the younger generation remain unanswered: Will AI add or cut jobs? Is AI an opportunity or a challenge to bridge the digital divide between young people in different countries? How can governments to help young people develop essential learning and digital skills? Will AI talent or AI education become a key driver of cross-border cooperation or part of a competitive landscape?

On 15 August, Mary Kent, Skills and Employability Specialist for the International Labour Organization in Asia Pacific, was interviewed by China Youth Daily while attending the Thematic Forum for Digital Development of 2024 World Youth Development Forum in Chongqing, and shared her views on the above questions.

According to a research paper released by the International Labour Organization in August 2023, occupations are more likely to be augmented than automated by AI and AI is likely to create new jobs. Workers will need skills that help them adapt to and optimize the technology. In the interview, Kent cited the findings of this research and also pointed out that the global economy will remain diversified, and different types of jobs will require young talent with different skills. Therefore, AI is likely to become a global economic equalizer, a tool to promote equality, cooperation and communication, and help people participate in global economic activities more conveniently.

Kent has worked in China for many years. In her eyes, young people in China are hardworking, with fantastic energy and an appetite for technology and change. "The future is bright for Chinese young people." Kent is looking forward to seeing more Chinese young people involved in the process of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). (Ma Ziqian, Bai Yang and Xu Danyang from China Youth Daily; Intern Guo Qing)