The AFL-CIO releases AI Principles for Workers
On Wednesday, October 15, the AFL-CIO released the historic Workers First Initiative on AI. These first-of-their-kind AI principles express workers’ concerns and aspirations toward the development and adoption of AI in our workplaces and communities. They reflect the labor movement’s commitment to protecting workers from unsafe, unethical, anti-worker, and discriminatory AI applications. As the public overwhelmingly calls for government action to protect against harmful uses of AI, these principles provide a blueprint for responsible innovation.
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler:
“No one understands how to build the future of work better than America’s labor movement. We reject the false choice between American competitiveness on the world stage and respecting workers’ rights and dignity. We know that for AI—or any other technology—to truly boost our economy, it needs to benefit everyone, not just a select few at the top. That’s why I’m thrilled to launch the Workers First Initiative on AI, which will advance the labor movement’s vision for this technology and a path forward for equitable, human-centered innovation in our workplaces and communities.”
AFL-CIO Technology Institute Executive Director Ed Wytkind:
“Technological progress and human dignity can and should advance together. Centering workers’ voices in an AI policy agenda ensures a future where America both innovates and creates good jobs and opportunities for everyone. The AFL-CIO Workers First Initiative on AI advances a positive vision for new AI-enabled technologies—one rooted in good union jobs, high-quality public services, safety, racial justice and strong workers’ rights.”
Developed with input from unions and workers across industries and public services, the initiative includes guiding principles and resources for the responsible development and use of AI, as well as a nationwide education and mobilization program. It will also be integrated into the AI task force of state AFL-CIO leaders launched this summer to coordinate advocacy for strong, common-sense AI guardrails at the state and local levels.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: Principles to Protect Workers, from the AFL-CIO
- Strengthen Labor Rights and Collective Bargaining
- Advance Guardrails Against Harmful Workplace AI
- Support Copyright and Intellectual Property Protections
- Develop Worker-Centered Workforce Training
- Institutionalize Worker Voice in AI Research & Development
- Require Transparency and Accountability
- Model Best Practices in Government Procurement
- Protect Civil Rights and Democratic Integrity
“Throughout our history, unions have been at the center of technological change, have managed through transitions, and have fought to ensure that new technologies serve workers and their communities and make jobs better and safer,” the principles declare. “There is an urgency to have a meaningful national conversation about how to both propel innovation and adopt sensible policies that protect working people and the general public from the well-documented negative consequences of unregulated AI.”