In a groundbreaking collaboration, the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and Microsoft have announced a pioneering partnership focused on open dialogue and worker inclusion in the development and implementation of artificial intelligence (AI). This unprecedented alliance marks the first instance of a labor organization joining forces with a technology giant to address AI’s implications. The partnership is driven by three core objectives:
Sharing AI Trends: The initiative aims to provide labor leaders and workers with in-depth insights into AI technology trends, fostering a comprehensive understanding of its evolving landscape.
Incorporating Worker Perspectives: Workers’ expertise and perspectives will be actively included in the development of AI technology. The collaboration seeks to ensure that the voices of those directly impacted by AI are integral to its design and deployment.
Shaping Supportive Public Policy: The partnership is committed to influencing public policy that aligns with the technological skills and needs of frontline workers. It seeks to create a regulatory environment that supports workers in the face of rapid technological change.
Building on the neutrality agreement achieved by the Communications Workers of America Union (CWA) with Microsoft, covering video game workers at Activision and Zenimax, and leveraging Microsoft’s labor principles outlined in June 2022, the partnership includes a neutrality framework. This framework outlines a commitment to respecting employees’ rights to unionize, fostering positive labor-management relationships, and negotiating collective bargaining agreements to support workers amid technological advancements.
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler emphasized the recognition of workers’ critical role in AI’s development, deployment, and regulation. She anticipates the partnership with Microsoft to expand workers’ involvement in creating worker-centric design, workforce training, and trustworthy AI practices.
Microsoft’s Vice Chair and President, Brad Smith, highlighted the collaborative nature of the partnership, emphasizing the importance of working directly with labor leaders to ensure AI serves the country’s workers. The collaboration aims to honor workers’ rights, seek advice from labor leaders in technology development, and equip individuals with essential skills for the new AI era.
Key Initiatives of the Partnership:
AI Education for Workers and Students: Microsoft will offer formal learning opportunities on AI’s latest developments and future prospects. This includes learning sessions facilitated by Microsoft’s AI experts, on-demand digital resources, and joint initiatives with the American Federation of Teachers for career and technical education.
Direct Feedback Mechanism: Labor leaders and workers will have a direct channel to share experiential insights, concerns, and feedback with Microsoft’s AI developers. This collaborative effort will kick off with Microsoft-hosted labor summits.
Joint Policy and Skills Development: The partnership will advocate for policies supporting workers’ skills, knowledge, and economic well-being in an AI-powered economy. This includes backing the expansion of registered apprenticeships and promoting Career and Technical Education. The AFL-CIO’s Technology Institute and Microsoft will collaborate on developing AI-specific content and professional learning opportunities.
As the AFL-CIO’s polling indicates that 70% of workers worry about AI replacing them, and Microsoft’s study reveals that 70% of workers would delegate tasks to AI to ease their workloads, the partnership aims to ensure workers’ voices are central to the AI-assisted future, fostering a transition that enhances work and enriches lives.
The collaboration will play a crucial role in shaping a future where AI empowers workers rather than diminishes their agency and responsibilities. By centering workers’ voices, Microsoft and AFL-CIO aim to create a balanced and inclusive path to an AI-assisted future.
