AFL-CIO, Microsoft Unveil AI Workforce Tech Partnership

TL/DR -

The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and Microsoft Corp. have formed a partnership to focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on workers. The partnership will focus on three goals: educating labor leaders and workers on AI trends, incorporating worker perspectives in AI development, and shaping public policy supporting workers' technological skills and needs. To ensure the partnership meets these goals, Microsoft will provide learning opportunities on AI developments, the partners will develop a feedback mechanism for labor leaders and workers, and the two organizations will support policies enhancing workers' skills for an AI-driven economy.

A New alliance between AFL-CIO and Microsoft to Educate Workers on AI and Advocate for Labor-friendly Policies

On December 11, 2023, The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), and Microsoft Corp declared the inception of a novel partnership. This alliance will focus on creating open conversations on how artificial intelligence (AI) can meet the demands of workers and include their insights in its growth and application. A historic first, the partnership will aim to educate workers on AI technology, incorporate worker feedback in AI development, and shape public policy supporting technology skills of frontline workers.

This AI cornerstone is built on the neutrality agreement previously negotiated by the Communications Workers of America Union (CWA) with Microsoft. This agreement guarantees a neutrality framework for future worker organization by AFL-CIO affiliate unions. It signifies a joint commitment to respect workers' rights to form or join unions, establish positive labor-management relationships, and negotiate agreements upholding workers in an era of swift technological advancement.

AI education for workers and students

Microsoft will kickstart formal learning sessions in 2024 winter to educate workers and students on AI's latest advancements. These sessions will be supported with on-demand digital resources and supplemented by career and technical education work for students. Intensive workshops tailored to specific careers will start from 2024 through 2026.

Input from labor leaders and workers

The partnership will focus on getting direct feedback from labor leaders and workers to inform Microsoft's AI technology development. Starting from this winter, Microsoft will host labor summits to facilitate intensive discussions between labor leaders, workers, and Microsoft's AI team.

Policy and skills development

In anticipation of Congress debates on future AI and workforce legislation, AFL-CIO, and Microsoft will propose and back policies preparing workers for an AI-powered economy. They will support expanding apprenticeships, advocate funding for Career and Technical Education, and tailor LinkedIn Generative AI content for sectors most impacted by AI.

Both partners acknowledge AI's potential to augment workers' jobs and have initiated this labor-tech partnership to include workers' voices and meet their needs in the AI-assisted future. Recent studies show that while 70% of workers fear being replaced by AI, an equal percentage would delegate their workload to AI to reduce their burden.

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