European Commission | Open Roundtable on the Future of Work

The European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies is organising an Open Roundtable convened by the European Commission on the topic of the Future of Work on 5 February 2018 in Brussels.

The European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE) is an independent, multi-disciplinary body appointed by the President of the European Commission which advises on all aspects of Commission policies and legislation where ethical, societal and fundamental rights dimensions intersect with the development of science and new technologies. The EGE provides guidance to the highest political level of the European Commission, reporting to the Commission President, and to the College of Commissioners as a whole.

At the request of the Commission President, the Group is now preparing an Opinion on the Future of Work. The Opinion will explore phenomena ranging from the consequences of automation and digitalisation on the labour market and the future role of artificial intelligence through to the rise of the gig economy and industry 4.0, examining the extent to which longstanding governance frameworks, such as social security systems and employment laws, require updating. At its core, the Opinion will consider fundamental questions of why we work and how work gives us meaning, and how European values of justice, dignity and solidarity can be realised in a changing world.

In that context, the EGE is organising a high level Open Roundtable, inviting a broad spectrum of academics, policymakers and key stakeholders to discuss and debate the thorny questions at the heart of this topic. The roundtable, which will be opened by Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for Science, Research and Innovation, will feed directly into the preparation of the EGE’s Opinion, testing its preliminary findings and gaining inputs to further its reflection.

EAPN’s Senior Policy Officer, Amana Ferro, is participating as a high level speaker in this event, speaking on work and poverty, new forms of precarious work, and anti-poverty policies.
Register quickly! (stated deadline, extended, is 31 January!)