Artificial Intelligence: Workers’ unions must shape deployment and regulation – International Trade Union Confederation

Report on Artificial Intelligence and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A report issued by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), titled “Artificial Intelligence: What are the implications for trade unions?”, analyzes the effects of Artificial Intelligence (AI) deployment on job quality and fundamental labor rights. The findings highlight significant challenges to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to decent work, inequality, and strong institutions. The report warns against the risks of unregulated AI and algorithmic management, underscoring the critical role of trade unions in navigating a just digital transition that aligns with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Impact on Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)

The proliferation of AI systems presents direct challenges to the core tenets of SDG 8, which promotes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. Key findings include:

• Erosion of Job Quality: AI systems are accelerating job fragmentation and the intensification of work, undermining the goal of decent work.
• Algorithmic Management: The increasing use of algorithmic systems to manage work schedules, pay, and dismissals, often without transparency or accountability, directly contravenes principles of fair and just working conditions.
• Violation of Labour Rights: AI systems are frequently deployed without worker consultation, a practice that undermines fundamental labour rights, increases psychosocial risks, and erodes worker privacy.
• Questionable Productivity Gains: While promoted as drivers of efficiency, evidence suggests that the productivity gains from these technologies are often overstated, failing to translate into shared economic growth as envisioned by SDG 8.

Reinforcement of Inequalities (SDG 5 & SDG 10)

The report provides evidence that AI is exacerbating existing inequalities, creating significant setbacks for SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

1. AI is reinforcing labour market inequalities, with low-skilled workers being more exposed to the risks of automation and displacement.
2. Women workers are identified as a particularly vulnerable group, disproportionately affected by the risks associated with AI-driven automation, thereby widening the gender gap in the labour market.

Global Development and Labour Implications (SDG 1 & SDG 10)

The development and application of AI technologies have created a global supply chain of labour that poses risks to sustainable development, particularly in the global south.

• The work involved in developing and maintaining these technologies often entails poorly paid, precarious, and intensive working conditions.
• This trend disproportionately affects workers in the global south, perpetuating global inequalities (SDG 10) and contributing to in-work poverty, which undermines progress towards SDG 1 (No Poverty).

The Role of Strong Institutions and Regulation (SDG 16)

In line with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), the report calls for robust governance and highlights the proactive role of labour institutions in mitigating the adverse effects of AI.

Trade Union Actions

• Collective Bargaining: Agreements have been secured in Europe with companies like Just Eat/Takeaway to protect worker rights.
• Sectoral Standards: The Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan (FPRK) has developed standards to govern AI in the workplace.
• Organising Initiatives: New movements, such as African Tech Workers Rising, are emerging to advocate for workers in the digital economy.

Call for Regulatory Frameworks

The report advocates for stronger enforcement of labour and anti-discrimination laws and the protection of union rights in the digital era. ITUC General Secretary Luc Triangle stated, “The rapid development and deployment of AI must be accompanied by sufficient regulation, with workers included in this process.” This call to action emphasizes that achieving a just future of work requires that “workers and their unions play a central role in shaping the AI-driven future,” ensuring the digital transformation is inclusive, accountable, and contributes positively to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of SDGs in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  • The article’s central theme is the impact of AI on job quality, fundamental labor rights, and working conditions. It discusses issues like job fragmentation, algorithmic management, dismissals, precarious work, and the role of trade unions in ensuring a “just digital transition,” all of which are core components of SDG 8.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  • The text explicitly states that “AI is reinforcing labour market inequalities, with low-skilled and women workers more exposed to the risks of automation.” It also highlights the disparity in working conditions for those developing AI technologies, “especially in the global south,” directly addressing the goal of reducing inequalities within and among countries.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  • The article specifically mentions that “women workers [are] more exposed to the risks of automation.” This highlights a gender-specific dimension of inequality in the digital transition, connecting the issue to the goal of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  • The article emphasizes the need for regulation, stronger enforcement of labor laws, and the inclusion of workers and unions in decision-making processes. The call for governments and employers to “ensure that workers and their unions play a central role in shaping the AI-driven future of work” relates directly to building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth):

   • Target 8.5: “By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men… and equal pay for work of equal value.” The article addresses this by highlighting how AI is creating “poorly paid, precarious and intensive working conditions” and affecting pay and dismissals, which are contrary to the goal of decent work for all.
   • Target 8.8: “Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers… and those in precarious employment.” This is directly relevant as the report warns that AI systems are “undermining labour rights, increasing psychosocial risks and eroding privacy,” and creating precarious jobs.

2. Under SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities):

   • Target 10.3: “Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory… practices.” The article’s finding that AI reinforces inequalities for low-skilled and women workers points to a failure to ensure equal opportunity. The call for stronger “anti-discrimination laws” aligns with this target.
   • Target 10.4: “Adopt policies, especially… wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality.” The report’s focus on regulation, social protection, and the role of collective agreements speaks to the need for policies to mitigate the unequal impacts of AI.

3. Under SDG 5 (Gender Equality):

   • Target 5.b: “Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women.” The article presents a challenge to this target by showing that AI, a key technology, is currently exposing women workers to greater risks, thereby reinforcing inequalities rather than promoting empowerment.

4. Under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions):

   • Target 16.7: “Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.” The article’s primary demand is for workers and unions to be included in the process of AI regulation and deployment. It criticizes systems being “deployed without consulting workers” and calls for unions to “play a central role,” which is the essence of inclusive and participatory decision-making.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 8 Targets:

   • Prevalence of precarious employment: The article mentions AI creating “poorly paid, precarious and intensive working conditions.” Measuring the proportion of workers in such conditions in AI-affected sectors would be a direct indicator.
   • Existence and coverage of collective bargaining agreements: The article cites “collective agreements in Europe with Just Eat/Takeaway” as a positive response. The number and scope of such agreements that specifically address AI and algorithmic management can be a key indicator of progress in protecting labor rights (Target 8.8).
   • Incidence of psychosocial risks: The article notes that AI systems are “increasing psychosocial risks.” Tracking work-related stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues in workplaces using AI would serve as an indicator.

2. For SDG 10 and SDG 5 Targets:

   • Wage and employment gaps by skill level and gender: The article states AI reinforces inequalities for “low-skilled and women workers.” An indicator would be the change in wage and employment gaps between these groups and others in the face of AI adoption.
   • Enforcement of anti-discrimination laws: The call for “stronger enforcement of labour and anti-discrimination laws” implies that the number of cases filed, investigated, and resolved concerning AI-driven discrimination could be an indicator of progress.

3. For SDG 16 Target:

   • Level of participation of social partners in policy-making: The demand that “workers and their unions play a central role in shaping the AI-driven future of work” suggests an indicator. Progress could be measured by the formal inclusion of trade unions in national and corporate digital strategy boards, regulatory bodies, and policy consultations related to AI.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ituc-csi.org