BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - German Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) believes that mitigating the shortage of skilled nursing staff through artificial intelligence (AI) is within reach. "AI can help relieve caregivers of bureaucratic tasks," Heil told "Apotheken Umschau." "In this way, new technologies also ensure that work can become more human again." Human labor, however, would continue to be irreplaceable in nursing in the future.

New technologies could also reduce stress in the workplace and prevent accidents on construction sites, for example. Employees would have to be qualified in the use of the new technologies. "Of course, we must not lose sight of the risks either," Heil said.

The politician warned, "The use of AI, for example, must not lead to companies gaining access to sensitive data and employees being under permanent total surveillance." The right course must be set, he said. In September, Heil had announced key points for employee data protection, which he planned to present together with the Interior Ministry.

By 2035 at the latest, there will no longer be a job that has nothing to do with AI applications, Heil affirmed. Recently, the SPD politician had provided insight into a department of his ministry in which experts are using AI to explore trends in the "digital working society."/bw/DP/ngu