On Monday, December 12th, Microsoft entered into a partnership with a coalition comprising of 60 labor unions to address the implications of the increasing prevalence of artificial intelligence in the workforce. The major software company, Microsoft, declared that it was collaborating with the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) to offer labor leaders and workers additional training on AI and to alleviate its impact on employment markets. Representing more than 12.5 million workers in the United States, the AFL-CIO is parto of the first formal collaboration between labor unions and AI developers to navigate the impact of this technology on workers. Brad Smith, Microsoft’s vice chairman and president, stated in a release, “By collaborating directly with labor leaders, we can ensure that AI benefits the workforce of the country.” He also added that the groundbreaking partnership acknowledges workers’ rights, incorporates the guidance of labor leaders in technology development, and assists people in acquiring essential skills for the emerging AI era.
The alliance includes a template for “neutrality” terms, simplifying the union formation process at Microsoft. The whole process copies elements from the agreement reached between Microsoft and game developer Zenimax on Monday, which encompassed terms regulating the use of AI in the workplace. The language incorporates Microsoft’s six previously announced AI principles, emphasizing the commitment to ensuring AI treats all individuals fairly and empowers everyone.
Microsoft has emerged as a prominent player in AI development, driven by internal initiatives like the Bing search engine and a $13 billion investment in ChatGPT developer OpenAI.
