Microsoft to team up with American labour unions to discuss the impact of AI on workers

livemint.com:

Microsoft Corporation has tied up with American labour unions to prepare an “open dialogue" to understand how artificial intelligence will shape the workforce in the future. The Redmond, Washington-based software giant is allying with the American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organizations.

The federation includes 60 labour unions representing 12.5 million workers, said Redmond in an official statement on Monday. Also Read: Google pushes for antitrust action against Microsoft in UK cloud market “This partnership reflects a recognition of the critical role workers play in the development, deployment, and regulation of AI and related technologies," said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, who called the collaboration “a groundbreaking" and “historic" alliance.

The alliance will mainly work around sharing in-depth information with labour leaders and working on AI technology trends. The corporation would also enable in incorporation of worker perspectives and expertise in the development of AI technology.

The work done under the leadership would "help in shaping public policy that supports the technology skills and needs of frontline workers." Also Read: OpenAI’s new board takes over and says Microsoft will have observer role The partnership will also include an agreement with Microsoft to provide a neutral framework for future worker organising by AFL-CIO affiliate unions. The framework will remain committed to respecting and organising the right of employees to form or join unions, to develop positive and cooperative labor-management relationships, and to negotiate collective bargaining agreements that will support workers in an era of rapid technological change, said Microsoft in its press release.