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The advent of artificial intelligence systems has fundamentally transformed how work is structured globally, and the MENA region is no exception. In contexts characterized by large informal sectors, widespread gig economies, employment-based social protection systems, and increasing privatization -often championed by international financial institutions - the deployment of AI presents profound challenges to equitable labor markets.

While proponents of AI emphasize its potential for greater inclusion and opportunity, the technology's rapid integration threatens to deepen inequality in access to economic opportunity and diminish access to sustainable, equitable working conditions. This discussion examines the political-economic, social, and technical dimensions of this paradox, situating the MENA region within global comparative frameworks.

Our speakers will analyze how AI systems are reshaping employer-employee relationships, social protection structures, and the nature of work itself, asking a critical question: Who is AI actually working for in the region's labor markets - employers, platforms, international financial institutions, or workers themselves? The discussion will conclude with an exploration of potential policy pathways toward robust protections for economic well-being across the region.

Key Questions

• Who benefits from AI in the Arab region's labor markets: employers, platforms, international financial institutions, or workers?
• What role do the gig economy and labor informality play in shaping AI's impact?
• How are employer-employee relationships and worker protections being affected by AI deployment?
• What social protection-oriented policies could address emerging inequities and vulnerabilities?

About the Series

This webinar is part of ARI's "Siyasa & Silicon" series, which advances social science engagement with artificial intelligence and emerging technologies across the MENA region. The series fosters critical inquiry into how digital transformation is influencing governance, accountability, and civic participation.