Energy transition, labor transformation and democratization of knowledge are some of the challenges posed by the implementation of the artificial intelligence in the hydrocarbon refining sector. That was the conclusion reached by representatives of companies and unions in the sector, within the framework of a dialogue forum of the Argentine Chamber of Energy (CADE).
AI has already become a central player in all industries. It promises to transform the operational and labor dynamics of the sector at an unprecedented pace. In the CADE intra-sector forum, they compared the situation with the Neolithic. Since then there was no equal revolutionsaid Sergio Faraudo, Vice President of Labor Relations at Pan American Energy.
“This fact is not minor and must be taken into account to analyze the complexity of the process that is being experienced and how to address it in the workplace,” said Faraudo.
Dialogue and joint planning is crucial. “The deeper the relationship, the greater the enrichment will be not only in the links, but in the possibility of virtuously transforming all the issues that arise in a dynamic economic and social scenario,” he indicated in this regard. Miguel Peiranoexecutive director of CADE.
The meeting took place at the headquarters of the Argentine Catholic University (UCA), as part of the union and business forum of the refining industry, coordinated by Patricio Bulgheroni.
There, questions arose about the challenges and contributions that AI can make in the field of fuel production.
One of the points mentioned was the conjunction between artificial intelligence and another process that the sector has been going through for years: the energy transition. “It is essential to sit at the table and discuss the things that are going to happen to us. We are going to be there to prepare our people and find solutions“said Marcelo Aldeco, vice president of Labor Relations of YPF, who called to anticipate and anticipate the transformations and their possible consequences.
On the unions’ side, a concern is how AI will impact work. Gerardo Martínez, general secretary of the UOCRA and member of the CGT, was present. He also placed emphasis on dialogue between companies and the union.
“The best way to vindicate workers’ rights is to encourage dialogue, making clear that the person who invests and bets on the country is not an enemybut it is part of the component in the relationship between growth and development,” said Martínez, one of the trade unionists in dialogue with the government of Javier Milei.
Faraudo, from Pan American Energy, spoke along the same lines. “We are working on different leaderships, on models that are not only sustainable, but also allow us to generate new jobs adapted to current needs,” said the company representative.
For his part, Gabriel Barroso, general secretary of the Argentine Federation of Oil, Gas and Biofuels Unions, highlighted the help that artificial intelligence can give in the aspect of security.
“We understand that technology and robotization is something that is coming. Among the positive aspects, artificial intelligence is capable of improving safety and saving lives. On our side we always value the parties that seek dialogue,” said Barroso.
Also the host, Miguel Schiavone, rector of the UCA, referred to the labor impact of AI. “Artificial intelligence will not replace humans, but people will be replaced by others who have knowledge in this field.” And he added: “Therefore, the key is to democratize knowledge.”