Microsoft has established a collaboration with the largest US union group, representing 60 unions and over 12 million workers, to explore the effects of AI on labor and aid in crafting protective policies for workers amidst technological changes.
This partnership involves Microsoft joining forces with the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) to educate union members on AI trends, gather input from workers as technology progresses, and create new workforce strategies to adapt to evolving job roles and market dynamics.
Proponents of AI argue that automation will boost efficiency by automating tasks and generating fresh employment prospects. Nonetheless, many workers fear the possibility of machines replacing human labor entirely.
Liz Shuler, president of AFL-CIO, stressed the significance of the collaboration with Microsoft, purportedly the first of its kind between a labor group and a tech behemoth, in enabling workers to engage in dialogues concerning AI deployment and regulation.
The objective of this partnership is to engage workers in the formulation of worker-centric design, workforce training, and ethical AI standards. Microsoft’s dedication to impartiality and appreciation of workers’ insights signifies a move towards nurturing constructive labor-management alliances in the era of AI.
Microsoft has committed to providing online resources outlining AI advancements, delivering updates on the latest AI progress, educating workers on AI functionalities, evaluating associated risks, and exploring opportunities for training in new AI-related positions. Moreover, the company intends to host workshops focusing on specific careers from 2024 to 2026.
Through labor conferences and interactions with AFL-CIO representatives, Microsoft aims to shape AI as a tool that prioritizes workers’ requirements, ensuring the availability of user-friendly and practical tools. The objective is to influence forthcoming federal policies that bolster apprenticeships and AI training schemes.
By collaborating with labor representatives, Microsoft seeks to champion legislation that enhances workers’ competencies and financial backing in the evolving AI landscape. Brad Smith, Microsoft’s vice chair and president, highlighted the partnership’s dedication to upholding workers’ rights, leveraging labor leaders’ perspectives in tech advancement, and equipping individuals with vital skills for the AI epoch.
In a separate development, Microsoft’s gaming subsidiary Zenimax and the Communications Workers of America (CWA) have tentatively agreed on guidelines for AI utilization in the workplace. The agreement, covering 376 employees, ensures that AI will be used to complement labor fairly, reliably, securely, privately, inclusively, transparently, and accountably.
This pact underscores a mutual commitment to empowering workers to influence the integration of AI into their work environment and to hold employers responsible for the consequences of AI implementation. Dylan Burton, a senior QA tester and member of ZeniMax Workers United-CWA, stressed the importance of enabling workers to shape the role of AI in their work and address potential impacts before implementation.
