AI must come with human oversight, industry panel agrees
National panel discussion hears about opportunities and threats of nascent technology
Updated 6.20pm
Human oversight is essential to ensure that AI development aligns with ethical standards and supports inclusive progress, stakeholders from across academia, industry and unions have agreed.
A national discussion forum focused on Artificial Intelligence underscored the need for a human-centred approach to integrating the technology, with investment in skills and education essential to ensure all workers have the tools needed to adapt and thrive as AI enters the workplace.
Organised by The Malta Chamber, the GWU, and Malta Business Bureau, the event formed part of the second phase of the TransFormWork II project, “Social Partners Together for Better and More Effective Management of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for a Just Transition to the Future of Work.” The EU-funded initiative is led by the Bulgarian Confederation of Independent Trade Unions (KNSB) and aims to support European social partners in managing AI-driven change.
GWU Section Secretary for the Professionals, Finance, and Services Sector Riccarda Darmanin said the benefits of AI must be shared equitably across all sectors.
The TransformWork II project revealed a growing gap in the workforce’s ability to adapt to AI. While many workers are already using AI to boost productivity and streamline tasks, others remain uncertain or disconnected from such tools, facing concerns over job security and difficulty adapting to new technologies.
“This divide presents an urgent challenge,” Darmanin said. “We must ensure that the benefits of AI are shared equitably across all sectors of the workforce. It’s not just about embracing innovation—it’s about leaving no one behind in the process.”
The GWU is pushing for widespread reskilling and upskilling initiatives to equip workers with digital and technical skills, and for job roles to be redesigned in ways that incorporate AI to support rather than displace workers.
“AI is not a threat, it’s a tool,” Darmanin said. “But how we choose to implement it will determine whether it divides or unites our workforce. That’s why we’re calling on employers, policymakers, and tech developers to take a people-first approach.”
The forum was chaired by the Malta Chamber's head of communication Rachel Attard Bondi and opened with a welcome address by Mark Bajada, deputy president of the Malta Chamber. Bajada outlined the global economic and technological transformations driven by AI and underscored the importance of investing in skills and education to prepare Malta for the future.
Kotaro Ishi, IMF deputy chief of mission for Malta and IMF senior economist Thomas Pihl shared insights into the economic impact of AI on the local labour market, particularly the urgent need for focused reskilling initiatives. University lecturer and Chair of the Tourism Section within The Malta Chamber, Dylan Seychell, showcased AI-powered projects aimed at improving decision-making and efficiency while maintaining a critical role for human judgment.
The event was also addressed by various other stakeholders including Malta Business Bureau CEO Mario Xuereb, Malta Digital Innovation Authority representative Neil Micallef and Riccarda Darmanin from the Forum of Maltese Unions, among others.
Parliamentary Ombudsman Joseph Zammit McKeon provided concluding remarks in which he emphasised the need to ground AI governance in transparency, accountability, and non-discrimination.