Digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are reshaping how small and medium enterprises (SMEs) operate, offering significant opportunities to enhance productivity and improve working conditions, while also presenting challenges related to skills, inclusion, and decent work. This topic was the focus of a recent webinar organized by the ILO’s Global Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE), which brought together 71 participants, including SCORE Trainers and ILO colleagues worldwide. The session explored cost-effective and responsible ways to integrate digital tools and AI into SME training and operations, drawing on practical experiences from the Philippines, China, and Vietnam.
In the Philippines, AI tools have been integrated into SCORE Training to support Enterprise Improvement Teams (EITs), composed of workers and managers who collaboratively identify challenges and solutions. AI applications facilitate automated data analysis, documentation, and factory layout optimization, enhancing the effectiveness of training and operational improvements.
China’s SCORE Academy has incorporated AI into training delivery through initiatives such as an AI-powered e-learning platform, onsite support tools for generating meeting summaries, and preparing Enterprise Improvement Plans. A notable innovation is the “SCORE AI Agent,” a chatbot integrated into WeChat, which provides continuous guidance during and after training sessions, improving accessibility and learning outcomes.
In Vietnam, the introduction of AI into SCORE Training has highlighted the potential for AI to reshape jobs rather than replace them. The experience underscores the importance of combining low-cost AI tools for immediate operational gains with long-term transformation strategies to ensure sustainable adoption in SMEs.
A key takeaway from the webinar is the value of human-centered AI. When applied responsibly and with attention to decent work, AI and digital transformation can help SMEs increase productivity and competitiveness, enhance business resilience, improve working conditions, and provide upskilling opportunities, ultimately fostering inclusive and sustainable growth.
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