The recent surge in artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked widespread concern, particularly among workers fearing job displacement. This anxiety, initially felt within the tech community, has now rippled through various industries, prompting labor unions to strategize and prepare for potential battles.
Workers at a conference discussing AI's impact on jobs
This growing unease stems from advancements in AI, fueled by groundbreaking research like the 2017 Transformer paper, which has spurred investment and regulatory efforts. Now, workers are taking center stage, demanding a voice in how AI is implemented in their workplaces.
Unions Take Action: A Sacramento Conference
Over 200 union members and technologists recently convened in Sacramento for the “Making Tech Work for Workers” conference. This unprecedented event, organized by UC labor centers, unions, and worker advocates, brought together representatives from diverse sectors, including dockworkers, home care providers, teachers, nurses, actors, and state employees.
People at a conference table discussing AI's impact on the workforce
A central theme emerged from the conference: workers across all industries are resolute in their fight for greater control over AI deployment within companies. They aim to achieve this through contract negotiations and ongoing workplace advocacy. Union representatives highlighted the diverse ways AI threatens jobs, ranging from creative fields like screenwriting to service sectors like taxi driving and cashiering.
The Human Cost of AI-Driven Workplaces
One Amazon worker, Luis (last name withheld), shared his experience of the physical and mental toll of constant AI-powered monitoring. The relentless tracking of his every movement led to back pain, sleep deprivation, depression, and diminished self-worth. He described feeling dehumanized, like a “robot,” ultimately leading him to quit, only to return later due to a lack of alternative employment.
In response, Amazon spokesperson Steve Kelly emphasized the company’s focus on intentional work, not speed, and highlighted the availability of breaks. He also defended the use of cameras as a standard practice for safety, quality control, and theft prevention, encouraging employees to address any concerns with their managers.
The Political Landscape: Trump’s Unclear Stance on AI and Labor
The conference took place as former President Donald Trump prepared for his second term, adding another layer of complexity to the issue. Trump’s stance on technology and labor remained ambiguous. While promising to cut regulations hindering innovation and repeal AI safeguards, he also presented himself as a champion for blue-collar workers affected by automation. This apparent contradiction, coupled with his relationship with tech figures like Elon Musk, created uncertainty about his future policies.
Collective Bargaining: A Key Strategy for Worker Protection
Rather than dwelling on the political uncertainties, conference participants focused on practical strategies. They emphasized the importance of negotiating AI usage in the workplace during collective bargaining, advocating for worker involvement in tech-related decisions, and exploring the potential of technology for organizing.
Several unions, including the United Food and Commercial Workers and the National Nurses Union, are gearing up for critical negotiations concerning automation. Grocery workers will challenge the increasing reliance on self-checkout kiosks, while nurses will contest the use of AI tools that they believe prioritize profits over patient care.
Unions Leverage AI as an Organizing Tool
Ironically, unions are also leveraging AI as a rallying point for worker organization. While corporations tout AI’s transformative potential, unions are using it to highlight the potential for worker exploitation and the need for collective action.
The Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Despite facing significant challenges in increasing membership and worker power, unions see AI as a crucial issue for collective bargaining. Workers possess invaluable expertise in their respective fields and are acutely aware of the safety implications of new technologies.
A recent report by the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute revealed that millions of Californians are at high risk of job displacement due to automation, disproportionately affecting Latino workers. While job loss remains a primary concern, experts also warn against the dangers of AI-powered worker management and surveillance.
The Fight for Worker Rights in the Age of AI
AI presents both opportunities and risks. While it can potentially reduce discrimination and improve workplace safety, it also carries the threat of job losses, suppression of worker organizing, and intensified workload demands, as evidenced by increased injury rates in some automated warehouses.
Workers on an assembly line
SAG-AFTRA’s executive director emphasized the importance of worker organization in ensuring that employers negotiate AI implementation rather than imposing it unilaterally. Achieving this requires strategic foresight by union leaders in crafting compelling messages that resonate with workers and the public.
Surveillance and Data Collection: A Growing Concern
Many advocates argue that much of the technology introduced in workplaces amounts to worker surveillance. This “old boss with new tools” approach raises concerns about worker privacy and autonomy. Efforts are underway in several states, including California, to enact legislation protecting worker privacy and ensuring transparency in data collection practices.
The Path Forward: Collaboration and Strategic Action
While the future of AI regulation remains uncertain, experts like Amba Kak, executive director of the AI Now Institute, see opportunities for worker gains. She suggests that strategically choosing battles and building alliances with other movements, such as those concerned about the environmental impact of data centers, can be effective.
The growing focus on AI in state legislatures, particularly in California and New York, offers a promising avenue for worker protection. These efforts aim to establish safeguards similar to those proposed in California’s SB 1047, which was ultimately vetoed.
Conclusion: Workers Demand a Say in Their Future
The rise of AI presents a critical juncture for labor rights. Workers are demanding a say in how this transformative technology is implemented, recognizing its potential to both empower and exploit. The fight for worker protection in the age of AI requires collective action, strategic negotiation, and ongoing advocacy to ensure a future where technology serves humanity, not the other way around.
This article was originally published on The Markup and was republished under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives license. https://themarkup.org/artificial-intelligence/2025/01/16/fearing-ai-will-take-their-jobs-workers-plan-a-long-battle-against-tech
