Advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) are reshaping the modern workplace. The rapid changes brought by the implementation of the new technology present opportunities for great innovation and growth, while creating new challenges for employers and employees alike. Ultimately, whether AI in the workplace generates expansive progress and supports workers or instead creates harm for workers and deepens inequality is largely dependent on how AI is put to use.
Ideally, AI will be applied in the workforce in a way that makes life better for employees and improves the conditions of jobs, making them safer and more fulfilling. There is no doubt that the age of AI is upon us; successful employers and employees will be those who embrace and adapt to the transformative potential provided by AI. While its many potential uses are vast, thus far, AI seems to have three primary applications in the workplace: Automation, Data, and Communication.
- Automation: AI is extremely good at completing repetitive tasks. Employers have harnessed AI to automate numerous processes including but not limited to customer service, data entry, payroll processing, price optimization, and security. AI automation maximizes efficiency and allows employees to focus their energy and expertise on more intricate work.
- Data: AI can rapidly analyze enormous amounts of data. Whereas companies previously may have been able to access large datasets, companies were hard pressed to be able to efficiently assess and make sense out of the numbers. AI has revolutionized the ability to process large amounts of data and put the information gathered to good use. The expanded ability to collect and analyze data allows employers to make better business decisions.
- Communication: AI has a variety of applications that help to streamline communication and collaboration at work. AI tools such as language processors, language translators, appointment scheduling and smart meeting tools, and other advanced communication platforms allow for more efficient communication between employees and may have positive impacts on company culture.
Alongside the innovation brought by AI at work, there are fears that AI will negatively impact the work environment for workers. One such fear is that there will be sweeping displacement of workers as their jobs are taken over by efficient automated systems running on artificial intelligence. While there is validity behind these concerns, the rise in AI is expected to create new jobs that will make up for those lost to AI automation. In fact, The World Economic Forum has projected that 65% of elementary school aged children today will end up working in completely new job types that don’t yet exist.
Another concern raised by the use of AI is the idea that it could undermine workers’ rights by embedding bias and discrimination into decision-making processes, while removing transparency and human oversight from the same decisions. If, for example, AI is utilized to make hiring and promotion decisions, it may prefer to hire or promote candidates that reflect a company’s current workforce. If that same company’s leadership is 80% white, the AI may give preference to white applicants while discriminating against non-white candidates.
The Federal Department of Labor (DOL) has recognized the tremendous opportunity for progress presented by AI, while calling to attention the importance of protecting workers from the rapid changes brought on by the rise of AI. As part of the AI Executive Order issued by the Biden Administration, the DOL has created a Principles and Best Practices for Developers and Employers when using AI in the workplace to help employers navigate the implementation of the new technology.
The DOL’s Principles and Best Practices for Developers and Employers emphasize the following eight points:
- Centering Worker Empowerment: Emphasizes the importance of having workers and worker representatives actively engaged in, and informed of, the design, development, training, and use of AI at work.
- Ethically Developing AI: Taking workers legal rights into account throughout the design and implementation of any new AI, and critically examining AI to account for unlawful biases.
- Establishing AI Governance and Human Oversight: Establishing clear and routine procedures for human oversight and evaluation of how AI systems are working.
- Ensuring Transparency in AI Use: Companies using AI should be transparent about the use and role of AI with all employees and job seekers.
- Protecting Labor and Employment Rights: AI should in no way infringe upon workers’ rights, including their rights to organize, their rights to health and safety standards, wage and hours rights, and their right to work in a workplace free of discrimination and/or harassment.
- Using AI to Enable Workers: AI should complement and augment the human labor force; assisting the workers and improving the quality of their working conditions.
- Supporting Workers Impacted by AI: Employers should provide employees who are impacted by the implementation of new AI with appropriate trainings or upskill opportunities.
- Ensuring Responsible Use of Worker Data: Employees right to privacy must remain; any data collected by AI regarding company employees should be disclosed and limited in scope to only business-related activities.
Artificial Intelligence will continue to evolve, and employers and employees will continue to adapt to the changing technological landscape. Hopefully, we will be able to harness the capabilities of AI at work, while staying vigilant and working to limit the risks posed by the use of non-human intelligence.
Regardless of the form AI takes, employees retain their rights in the workplace. If you feel that your rights are being violated at work, reach out to an employment attorney for assistance. Navruz Avloni is a California employment attorney dedicated to standing up for workers. Contact the team at Avloni Law in order to learn more about your rights, discuss your potential claims, and obtain legal advice. Call the Avloni Law firm today for a free consultation.
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