US Labor Department Releases Guidelines for Harnessing AI to Benefit Workers

The U.S. Department of Labor recently unveiled an extensive framework to offer guidance for deploying artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to enhance job quality and safeguard workers’ rights. 

“AI can positively augment work by replacing and automating repetitive tasks or assisting with routine decisions, which may reduce the burden on workers and allow them to better perform other responsibilities,” the Department said in an update.

However the department also maintains that AI-augmented work poses risks if workers do not have autonomy and direction over their work or their job quality declines. “The risks of AI for workers are greater if it undermines workers' rights, embeds bias and discrimination in decision-making processes, or makes consequential workplace decisions without transparency, human oversight and review.”

The principles focus on worker empowerment, ethical AI development, governance, transparency, labor rights protection, worker enablement, support during transitions, and responsible data use. 

Key points include involving workers in AI system processes, ensuring ethical development, establishing governance and oversight, promoting transparency, safeguarding labor rights, enabling workers, providing support during transitions, and responsibly handling worker data.