Microsoft and AFL-CIO Partner to Explore AI’s Impact on Workers
Tech giant Microsoft and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) have formed a new partnership to examine how artificial intelligence (AI) can anticipate the needs of workers and involve their input in its development and implementation.
Goals of the Partnership
The AFL-CIO states that the goals of this agreement include sharing information about AI trends with labor leaders and workers, incorporating worker perspectives into AI development, and influencing public policy that supports the technology skills and requirements of frontline workers.
Collaborative Effort for Worker Benefits
Microsoft President Brad Smith emphasizes that this partnership involves collaborating with labor leaders to ensure that AI benefits workers. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler sees Microsoft’s acknowledgment of workers’ expertise as a positive sign for fostering productive labor-management partnerships in the AI era.
Past Agreements
In 2022, Microsoft entered into a similar agreement with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) to uphold workers’ rights at Activision Blizzard. This partnership focused on organizing and collective bargaining. Microsoft has also invested in OpenAI, a nonprofit AI firm, but claims no operational control over the company.
Concerns About AI’s Impact
Workers from various industries have expressed concerns about the potential impact of AI on their jobs. In the entertainment sector, Hollywood actors went on strike in July to protest against an AI proposal that could infringe on their rights. IBM estimated that AI could replace thousands of jobs within five years, while Elon Musk has predicted that AI could make human labor obsolete.
Hot Take: Empowering Workers in the Age of AI
This partnership between Microsoft and AFL-CIO marks an important step in addressing the concerns surrounding AI’s impact on workers. By including worker perspectives and expertise in AI development and policy-making, there is a greater chance of creating a future where AI technology benefits workers rather than displacing them. Collaborative efforts like these are crucial to ensure that the transition into the AI era is fair and inclusive for all.
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