“AI is Coming, But Workers Must Be Ready: Hurst Talks Labour in the Digital Age”
Antigua and Barbuda’s Government Spokesman Lionel Hurst is urging the country’s workforce to prepare for sweeping changes as artificial intelligence and automation continue to reshape the global labour market.
In a Labour Day interview, Hurst pointed to rapid shifts already visible at home—highlighting self-check-in kiosks at VC Bird International Airport and robotic advancements in global manufacturing—as evidence that the digital age is not coming, but already here.
“We’re seeing jobs that once required human hands now performed by machines. The question isn’t whether change will come—it’s how prepared we are to meet it,” Hurst said.
He noted that robots are not only faster and more precise, but also free of the legal and financial obligations that come with hiring people. “You don’t pay Social Security for a robot,” he remarked.
The implications for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like Antigua and Barbuda are significant. With relatively small labour pools and limited resources, these nations face the dual challenge of embracing innovation while ensuring their citizens are not left behind.
For Hurst, the answer lies in education and upskilling. He stressed that the new generation of trade unionists—many entering the workforce with formal degrees—must continue the legacy of lifelong learning championed by their forebears, many of whom were self-taught.
“We must be proactive. Workers of tomorrow will need digital fluency, adaptability, and a mindset ready for continuous transformation,” he said.
The call comes as governments across the Caribbean explore policy reforms aimed at building more resilient, tech-savvy economies. Labour Day 2025 may be a celebration of the past—but, Hurst insists, it’s also a prompt to prepare for the future.
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“”You don’t pay Social Security for a robot,” he remarked”
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