US labor unions are taking a stand to protect workers' rights and ensure corporate transparency as artificial intelligence (AI) transforms various sectors of the economy. The emergence of advanced "physical AI" promises a new generation of intelligent robots that won't be limited to repetitive tasks, potentially displacing many blue-collar workers.
The rapid advancement of AI technology has raised concerns about job displacement, with some experts warning that it could eliminate half of all low-skilled white-collar jobs, potentially driving unemployment rates up to 10-20 percent. Workers want to have some control over the implementation of AI in their workplaces, and unions are pushing for safeguards to ensure workers' rights and protections at work.
Unions are focused on passing legislation limiting the spread of automation, but face significant political obstacles. However, some unions have successfully negotiated AI protections into their contracts. For example, the International Longswarfare Association and the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) have secured agreements that limit the use of AI in certain contexts.
The Communications Workers of America (CWA) is developing educational toolkits to help workers understand and negotiate around AI implementation. Meanwhile, Microsoft has partnered with the AFL-CIO, pledging neutrality in employee union organizing and outlining goals for using AI to increase productivity, augment human work, and support workers who may be displaced by AI.
The Writers' Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA have also reached agreements with film studios on how AI can support, not replace, their members' contributions. As AI continues to reshape the workforce, labor unions will play a crucial role in shaping the conversation around its impact on workers and ensuring that their rights are protected.