Source: Trades Union Congress (TUC)

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has published a comprehensive report outlining a strategy for ensuring that the development and deployment of artificial intelligence in the UK are "pro-worker." The report, titled "Building a pro-worker AI innovation strategy," argues that without deliberate policy intervention and strong union involvement, AI could exacerbate workplace inequalities, intensify work, and lead to job losses. The TUC calls for a "jobs-first" approach to AI innovation, urging the government to prioritize the creation of good quality jobs as a primary goal of its national AI strategy.

Key recommendations in the report include the establishment of new corporate governance duties requiring companies to consider the impact of AI on their workforce. The TUC also advocates for the creation of an independent body to assess and license high-risk AI applications, particularly those used in employment contexts. Furthermore, the report emphasizes the need for statutory rights for workers and unions to be consulted on the introduction of AI systems in the workplace, ensuring that employees have a voice in how technology shapes their jobs. The overall message is that a fair and prosperous AI-driven economy can only be achieved if worker rights and well-being are placed at the heart of the innovation agenda.