Wales TUC: AI is here already and workers in Wales are losing out

A new report from the Wales TUC has documented for the first time how workers in Wales are being negatively affected by the unregulated introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) into workplaces.

The report, A Snapshot of Workers in Wales’ Understanding and Experience of AI, details examples of:

· People being made redundant by decisions being made by AI.

· People being “managed out” of their jobs for not meeting targets set by AI.

· Creative workers’ images, voice, creations at risk of being ‘stolen’ by AI.

The findings also include positive examples of AI’s impact – such as lecturers in further education institutions working alongside management to introduce AI in their work.

The Wales TUC, which represents 48 unions and 400,000 workers in Wales, has flagged workers’ concerns on AI including increased surveillance, intensification of work, heightened discrimination, and job losses.

Unions are demanding a greater voice in the roll out of AI to ensure that workers are protected from its harms and benefit from its value.

Wales TUC General Secretary, Shavanah Taj, said:

“AI is not one technology. It affects every workplace differently. Our findings are deeply troubling and demonstrate that conversations about AI and work are not academic parlour games – the impacts are real, often negative and are happening now.

“We will fight to ensure that our workers have voice and control over any changes to their workplaces and working conditions”

Report co-author, Adam Cantwell-Corn, Head of Campaigns and Policy at Connected by Data said:

“AI at work is not a ‘future’ issue, it’s a ‘now’ issue. Workers and trade unions in Wales are already seeking to protect rights and wellbeing at work. This research shows that there is a need to build on this progress and be empowered to make sure that technology benefits us all.”

The report calls for the Welsh Government to use its role as an employer in the devolved public sector to set an example, to further develop guidance on the issue, and to promote and monitor best practice on worker participation.

At a UK level, the TUC has previously called for protections to be enshrined in law including:

· A legal duty on employers to consult trade unions on the use of “high risk” and intrusive forms of AI in the workplace.

· A legal right for all workers to have a human review of decisions made by AI systems so they can challenge decisions that are unfair and discriminatory.

· Amendments to the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and Equality Act to guard against discriminatory algorithms.

It has also launched an AI Taskforce bringing together leading specialists in law, technology, politics, HR and the voluntary sector. The taskforce aims to publish an expert-drafted AI and Employment Bill early in 2024.