After the European Union, the American Federation of Labour – the Congress of Industrial Organisations (AFL-CIO), and Microsoft Corp. have collaborated. However, the collaboration is completely a labour-tech partnership. It aims to endorse policies that will empower workers with the necessary skills, knowledge, and economic assistance to help them succeed in AI driven world. Both partners, Microsoft and AFL-CIO, agree that Artificial Intelligence has the potential to improve workers’ jobs by enhancing their work.
On Monday, AFL-CIO and Microsoft Corp. announced a new partnership in order to foster an open dialogue regarding the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace. AFL-CIO is the largest federation of unions in the United States of America. It is composed of 60 unions, collectively representing approximately 12.5 million workers.
The thorough discussion focuses on ensuring the usage of AI technology in workplaces. This collaboration will initially prioritize unions and workers in specific key sectors. The collaboration is scheduled to commence during the winter season and will consist of labour summits hosted by Microsoft. The partners aim to facilitate productive discussions by bringing together labour leaders, workers, Microsoft’s key AI product developers, researchers, and business leaders. The goal is to collaboratively design and develop technology that prioritizes the needs and well-being of workers.
Microsoft and AFL-CIO New AI Alliance
The Microsoft and AFL-CIO New AI alliance marks a groundbreaking collaboration between a labour organisation and a technology company. This alliance specifically focuses on AI in the workplaces. This means that the collaboration incorporates workers’ requirements and views into its design and development. This worker-centric partnership aims to achieve three key objectives, which are as follows:
To provide labour leaders and workers with comprehensive insights into the latest trends in AI technology.
To incorporate the perspectives and expertise of workers in the development of AI technology.
To formulate public policies that address the technological skills and requirements of frontline workers.
The agreement between Microsoft Corp. and AFL-CIO establishes a neutrality framework that will totally apply to future worker organizing efforts by unions affiliated with the AFL-CIO. This framework affirms a shared dedication to upholding employees’ rights to form or join unions, fostering constructive and collaborative labor-management relationships, and engaging in collective bargaining to ensure worker support amidst the fast-paced advancements in technology.
This partnership marks a significant step towards exploring the implications of AI on the workforce as businesses and labor navigate the challenges posed by this technology.
Speaking about the agreement, Microsoft President Brad Smith said, “The neutrality agreement ensures a strong commitment and clear guidelines for how the company will collaborate with the AFL-CIO and its affiliates in the event that employees or employees of suppliers express interest in forming a union.”
Meanwhile, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler pointed out that Microsoft’s stance stood in stark contrast to that of other tech companies, which actively opposed unionization efforts. Shuler stated that this partnership signifies an acknowledgment of the vital contribution that workers make in the advancement, implementation, and oversight of AI and related technologies. The labour movement is excited about collaborating with Microsoft to enhance the involvement of workers in the development of worker-centered design, workforce training, and trustworthy AI practices. Microsoft’s commitment to neutrality and recognition of workers’ expertise indicates that the advancement of AI can potentially foster a positive shift towards more collaborative labor-management relationships.
Microsoft has formed a significant partnership with OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, and has made a substantial commitment to invest over $10 billion in the startup. The surging popularity of generative AI can potentially reshape human society and significantly render many jobs obsolete. Smith emphasized the significance of tech companies prioritizing the design of AI systems that consider the needs of workers. He also stressed the importance of allowing workers to have a voice and provide feedback that can shape the future direction of this technology. Both the union and AFL-CIO have reached an agreement to collaborate on public policy initiatives aimed at equipping workers with the necessary skills as the country progresses into the future.
According to reports, Shuler and Smith will be hosting a collaborative event on Monday to discuss the intersection of AI and work. According to Smith, the objective of AI is to enhance worker productivity, alleviate the monotony of tasks, and ultimately translate these efficiency improvements into higher standards of living. Shuler emphasized workers’ desire to have a say in the deployment of AI technology. They also want reassurance about their future career prospects in case their job responsibilities are reduced.
Smith even stated that collaborating directly with labour leaders is crucial in order to ensure that artificial intelligence (AI) benefits the workers of the country. This innovative partnership is committed to upholding the rights of workers, valuing the insights and guidance of labour leaders during the development of technology, and equipping individuals with the necessary skills for the upcoming AI era.
Goals of This Collaboration
The primary objective of this partnership is to empower workers by giving them a voice in the decision-making process and ensuring that their needs are comprehensively addressed. The partnership aims to achieve the following goals; take a look…
Microsoft is committed to offering formal learning opportunities for workers and students in the field of AI. Through these programmes, individuals will have access to up-to-date information and insights on the latest and future developments in AI to equip labour leaders and workers with the necessary knowledge and understanding of this evolving technology. The learning sessions, scheduled for the winter of 2024, will be led by Microsoft’s AI experts.
Participants will have the opportunity to gain access to information about AI and its advancements. Moreover, they will have access to on-demand digital resources that will enhance these sessions.
Microsoft will collaborate with the American Federation of Teachers to explore potential partnerships in the field of career and technical education. The aim is to develop programmes that equip students with the necessary skills for well-paying jobs in the future. Microsoft plans to organize in-depth and hands-on workshops that are specifically designed for various careers and roles starting from 2024 until 2026.
Additionally, Microsoft and the AFL-CIO’s Technology Institute will collaborate to create and offer new content and professional learning opportunities to equip workers with the necessary skills for the evolving workplace of the future.
Well, this is one of the significant steps taken by the two most popular organizations in favour of workers and leaders, especially when most workers are concerned about potential job loss due to the new technical advancements happening worldwide.
