The TUC Calls for Government Action to Safeguard Workers from AI Abuse
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) is urging the government to implement changes to company tax regulations and expand the powers of regulators to prevent the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) by employers to undermine their employees.
In response to Labour’s Plan for Change, industrial strategy, and memorandum of understanding with major language model (LLM) providers such as OpenAI, the TUC has released a paper emphasizing the importance of collective bargaining as AI becomes increasingly prevalent in the workplace.
The TUC’s paper titled Building a pro-worker AI innovation strategy highlights concerns that the current focus on short-term gains within the UK’s corporate governance system could lead some employers to use AI to cut costs and automate tasks rather than invest in growth and innovation.
The TUC emphasizes the need for businesses to prioritize long-term success over short-term gains, considering the interests of stakeholders including employees, shareholders, suppliers, customers, and the local community. The organization also calls for greater transparency in reporting on the impact of AI on employment and advocates for worker representation on company boards to ensure a workforce perspective in decision-making processes, particularly in technology strategy.
Furthermore, the TUC urges the government to incentivize businesses to invest in AI technologies that enhance labor rather than replace it. The organization recommends evaluating the tax regime to promote investment in labor-augmenting automation technologies.
Regarding regulators, the TUC proposes that the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigate the impact of market power on employment and expand its focus to include worker protection. Additionally, the TUC suggests extending the Information Commissioner’s Office’s remit to protect collective data rights, enabling unions or worker organizations to access and exercise rights on behalf of individual workers.
TUC assistant general secretary Kate Bell stresses the importance of placing workers at the forefront of AI innovation to ensure they benefit from productivity gains and are not left behind. She warns against unchecked AI in the workplace leading to increased inequality and job degradation.
Bell emphasizes the need for proactive policy responses to prevent workers from being marginalized by AI technologies and calls for dedicated training and skills programs to safeguard industries at risk of disruption.
The TUC’s advocacy for worker-centric AI innovation underscores the organization’s commitment to building a fair and inclusive future where technological advancements benefit all stakeholders.
