AFL-CIO Partners With Microsoft to Develop Worker-Friendly AI
WASHINGTON — Almost every day, news headlines herald some new development in the broadening scope of AI — artificial intelligence — and how this powerful, new computer software tool offers both promise and peril.
Now, in a historic agreement, the national AFL-CIO has announced a partnership with tech giant Microsoft to work together to jointly develop digital technologies like AI with labor union and worker input and participation.
According to a December 11 news release from the AFL-CIO, the new “alliance” with Microsoft “will educate workers, incorporate labor’s voice in tech development and help shape policy that supports workers.”
In addition, the news release continued, the newly-announced partnership “includes an agreement with Microsoft that provides a neutrality framework for worker organizing by AFL-CIO affiliate unions.” This agreement builds on a prior agreement between Microsoft and the Communications Workers of America.
“This partnership reflects a recognition of the critical role workers play in the development, deployment, and regulation of AI and related technologies,” said Liz Shuler, AFL-CIO president. “The labor movement looks forward to partnering with Microsoft to expand workers’ role in the creation of worker-centered design, workforce training, and trustworthy AI practices. Microsoft’s neutrality framework and embrace of workers’ expertise signals that this new era of AI can also catalyze a new era of productive labor-management partnerships.”
“By working directly with labor leaders, we can help ensure that AI serves the country’s workers,” said Brad Smith, Microsoft vice chair and president. “This ground-breaking partnership honors the rights of workers, learns from the advice of labor leaders as we develop technology, and helps us provide people with the skills that will become essential in a new AI era.”
The announcement of the agreement outlined three main goals:
Microsoft will offer “formal learning opportunities” for labor leaders and workers to better understand AI trends, opportunities and challenges. Beginning this coming winter, Microsoft will offer learning sessions, provide additional on-demand online resources, and work with the American Federation of Teachers to jointly develop career and technical education programs.
Microsoft will provide direct access for labor leaders and workers to share their concerns and insights with the company’s AI developers. Also beginning this coming winter, Microsoft will host “labor summits” to connect with labor leaders and workers “to co-design and develop ‘worker-centered technology.’”
Microsoft and the AFL-CIO will jointly develop and advocate for policies to enable workers to succeed and prosper in the new “AI-powered economy.” The two new partners “will support the expansion of registered apprenticeships” in the tech sector.