Al-Darwy at GLMC: Artificial intelligence is the future of employment and the Egyptian-Saudi partnership
Mohamed El-Darawy, representative of the Global Employment Confederation in Egypt, emphasized the importance of changing the prevailing perception of modern technology in the business sector. He stressed the need to stop viewing artificial intelligence as a threat and instead embrace it as a powerful enabler that will reshape the future of employment. This came during his active participation in the third edition of the Global Labour Market Conference (GLMC) held in Saudi Arabia.
A global platform for shaping the future of work
The International Labour Conference is being held at a time of profound transformation in the global economy, and Saudi Arabia aims to solidify its position as a global hub for discussing human resources issues through this event. Al-Darawi noted that the conference is no longer a mere passing event, but has become a "global ideas laboratory" bringing together policymakers and industry leaders to shape the future of work. He emphasized that Egypt's presence at this table ensures the continued competitiveness of the Egyptian market and allows for the development of integrated regional labor policies.
A historic partnership that goes beyond labor exchange
In the context of bilateral relations, El-Darawy explained that the relationship between the Egyptian and Saudi labor markets transcends the traditional concept of labor exchange, rising to the level of a strategic economic partnership. This cooperation has deep roots, extending back decades, with Egyptian professionals contributing to various stages of development in the Kingdom. Today, with the launch of Saudi Vision 2030, demand is undergoing a qualitative shift towards highly skilled professionals and specialized expertise, a demand that Egypt is well-positioned to meet thanks to its vast and talented human capital.
Artificial intelligence: A revolution in employment
Regarding technological transformation, Al-Darawi highlighted the dual role of artificial intelligence, calling for a “human-centric” approach. He explained, “We must stop viewing AI solely as a threat. These technologies are revolutionizing how we match talent with opportunities, enabling us to predict labor shortages and identify skills gaps with unprecedented accuracy.” He added that using these tools enhances human productivity rather than replacing it, and helps guide workforce reskilling plans more effectively.
Ethical recruitment and keeping pace with changes
The representative of the Global Employment Federation emphasized the federation's commitment to institutionalizing the employment landscape by implementing global standards of compliance and ethics to ensure the protection of workers' rights and eliminate arbitrary practices. He noted that the structural transformation of the Saudi market, driven by the tourism, entertainment, and logistics sectors, necessitates a shift towards strategic talent alignment models and the standardization of skills certification to ensure the readiness of Egyptian personnel to participate in the Kingdom's mega-projects.
