Amman, May 7 – The Senate Committee on Labor and Social Development, headed by Senator Issa Murad, held a meeting on Wednesday to discuss future labor challenges in light of modern technologies and artificial intelligence (AI).
The meeting was attended by former Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Dr. Labib Khadra; computer science and advanced technologies expert Dr. Hossam Faris; Chairman of the Board of the Information and Communications Technology Association of Jordan (Intaj), Amjad Swais; and Middle East innovation expert and entrepreneur Dr. Nidal Qanadilo.
Senator Murad stated that the meeting comes amid rapid technological transformations impacting the labor market. Its goal was to enhance understanding of the current landscape, anticipate future developments, offer practical recommendations, assess the impact of modern technologies across sectors, and identify challenges facing traditional labor.
He added that the committee seeks to examine the role of government policies and legislation in developing the labor ecosystem in response to digital challenges, as well as the role of public-private partnerships in supporting employment.
Dr. Khadra emphasized the academic requirements for global competitiveness in the era of advanced technologies, noting the growing need for re-skilling and up-skilling to keep pace with technological advancements. He called for the establishment of AI advisory centers at universities to bridge academic and practical needs, and to shift skill development from a horizontal to a more in-depth, vertical model. He also advocated involving AI experts in economic sectors to enhance productivity.
Dr. Faris highlighted the importance of deep expertise in AI applications across economic fields, explaining that practical experience is increasingly valued over academic degrees in some industries. He pointed to the "Jordan Innovation Hub" platform as a tool to identify and develop AI-related skills.
Swais distinguished between using and securing AI methods and the actual development of AI applications. He stressed the need to move toward building AI applications and addressed academic challenges in preparing graduates to be competitive in the labor market. He noted that Intaj is conducting a market study on AI and employment, aiming to bridge the gap between skills and education outcomes through private sector-led initiatives for sustainable development.
Dr. Qanadilo spoke on the alignment of academic outputs with market demands, affirming that AI is a tool to save time and effort rather than increase unemployment. He stressed that it enhances opportunities for those skilled in its use.
The committee concluded with several recommendations: supporting the establishment of AI centers, strengthening scientific research, implementing the Jordanian National AI Strategy, supporting youth initiatives in digital economy fields, and promoting investment-driven initiatives to create new employment opportunities.