Tens of thousands of workers rallied across major German cities including Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich this week to protest growing automation and artificial intelligence in industries. Organized by Germany’s largest trade unions, the protests reflect fears of widespread job losses due to AI replacing human roles in manufacturing and logistics.
Protesters demanded government intervention, including re-skilling programs and regulation over how AI is implemented. “We are not against progress, but we must not become victims of it,” said Jörg Hoffmann, head of IG Metall.
The German government is reviewing its digital policy and is expected to release a draft on responsible AI deployment next month. South Asian nations like India and Bangladesh are watching closely, as they too rely heavily on manufacturing jobs that may face similar risks in the near future.
