The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), in partnership with the National Union of Seafarers of Sri Lanka (NUSS), has announced a landmark conference on artificial intelligence (AI) to be held in Colombo.
The event will mark ITF’s first AI-focused conference globally and the first conference of its kind to be hosted in Sri Lanka, highlighting the federation’s focus on the role of emerging technology in improving safety, operations and sustainable practices across the global transport sector.
ITF is a global federation representing seafarers, dockworkers and other transport workers, with more than eight million members across over 150 countries. The Colombo conference will bring together representatives from labour, industry and the technology sector to examine how AI is shaping safety, operations, workforce development and governance across maritime and transport industries.
A key focus of the conference will be establishing principles for the ethical and safe use of AI. Participants will explore approaches to AI deployment that protect workers’ rights, privacy and safety both at sea and on land.
Workforce development will also feature prominently, with discussions focused on upskilling and reskilling seafarers and transport workers to prepare them for an increasingly AI-enabled working environment. The conference will provide an opportunity to share practices and approaches that can support workers as technology changes the nature of their roles.
Another area of discussion will be the use of AI to improve operational efficiency and safety. Participants will examine potential applications in areas such as routing, logistics, maintenance and safety monitoring, while considering the importance of maintaining appropriate human oversight.
The conference will also address policy and governance, with participants exploring inclusive policy frameworks that can balance technological innovation with social protection and fair labour standards. Cross-border networking and partnerships between trade unions, employers, technology providers and policymakers will form another important component of the event.
Organised by ITF and hosted by NUSS, the conference will feature keynote addresses from international labour leaders, technical sessions and panel discussions examining the practical implications of AI adoption across the maritime and wider transport sectors.
Participants are expected to include ITF affiliates, maritime unions, port and logistics operators, technology developers and regulators, bringing together stakeholders involved in shaping the future of AI and work in transport.
“This conference represents a monumental moment in time as AI emerges as a key part of current and future life, as we know it. NUSS is honoured to host this historic event in Colombo, reinforcing our pivotal role in global seafaring and transport,” said CEO Boa Athu, National Union of Seafarers Asia Pacific.
“AI offers transformative potential when guided by strong social dialogue, equitable access to training, and robust safeguards for governance,” he added.
The conference is expected to provide a platform for international stakeholders to exchange knowledge and perspectives on responsible AI adoption while examining how technological development can be aligned with worker safety, skills development and sustainable practices across the transport sector.
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