On Monday, Microsoft announced a partnership with the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, a major labor group representing 60 unions and 12.5 million workers. The collaboration aims to foster an open discussion on the future of artificial intelligence (AI) and alleviate concerns about job displacement due to AI.
This partnership responds to increasing apprehension from labor groups and regulatory bodies regarding the impact of AI on the workforce. The initiative includes AI learning sessions for workers, “experiential workshops” focusing on specific AI career opportunities from 2024 to 2026, and Microsoft-hosted labor summits to gather feedback from labor leaders and workers.
The partnership has three key goals:
- Sharing comprehensive information on AI technology trends with labor leaders and workers.
- Incorporating worker perspectives and expertise in the development of AI technology.
- Contributing to shaping public policy that supports the technology skills and needs of frontline workers.
As concerns grow about the potential job displacement caused by new technologies, AI providers are increasingly responding to public pressure. In October, Amazon announced collaboration with MIT to better understand the impact of AI and robotics on employees. IBM also announced plans in May to replace about 8,000 jobs with AI but emphasized a commitment to upskilling employees in AI and focusing on replacing back-office functions.
These moves by tech giants coincide with the possibility of increased regulation. President Joe Biden’s executive order on AI in October included provisions supporting workers amid AI advancements, such as producing a report on potential labor market implications and studying ways the federal government could assist workers affected by disruptions in the labor market. The executive order also outlined plans to develop principles and best practices to maximize the benefits of AI for workers while mitigating potential harms, with a focus on job displacement, labor standards, and workplace equity.