The rapid technological advancement and Artificial intelligence (AI) have become synonymous with conversations about the future of work. Headlines often focus on which jobs are at risk and how quickly technology will replace workers. But the reality is far more complex. On 11 June 2026, researchers and practitioners from across Asia gathered at the Pullman King Power in Bangkok for a knowledge sharing session hosted by LIRNEasia and the International Labour Organization (ILO) Regional Economic and Social Analysis Unit (RESA), to explore how AI, digital transformation and platform work are reshaping labourmarkets – and what this means for workers, businesses and governments. Drawing on emerging research from across the region, the discussions made one thing clear: technology is only one part of a much bigger story. 
The rapid technological advancement and Artificial intelligence (AI) have become synonymous with conversations about the future of work. Headlines often focus on which jobs are at risk and how quickly technology will replace workers. But the reality is far more complex. On 11 June 2026, researchers and practitioners from across Asia gathered at the Pullman King Power in Bangkok for a knowledge sharing session hosted by LIRNEasia and the International Labour Organization (ILO) Regional Economic and Social Analysis Unit (RESA), to explore how AI, digital transformation and platform work are reshaping labourmarkets – and what this means for workers, businesses and governments. Drawing on emerging research from across the region, the discussions made one thing clear: technology is only one part of a much bigger story. 
Rohan Samarajiva, Tharaka Amarasinghe, and I attended a meeting with the Committee on Comprehensive Social Protection for Workers on 4 January 2024, following an invitation from the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment in Sri Lanka. Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment, Manusha Nanayakkara was present at the meeting, along with representatives from several agencies including the National Planning Department, Social Security Board, Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, and International Labour Organisation. During the session, we delivered a presentation to the Committee, accessible here. This article sheds light on three key points we raised, initiating meaningful discussions. 28% of workers are living in poverty LIRNEasia’s 10,000 sample nationally representative survey conducted between August 2022 and March 2023 highlighted that 28% of the 8.