The 2023 USF Congress in Alicante asked the USF organs to pay more attention to how digitalisation affects our members’ work relationships and environment. Meanwhile, new questions about Artificial Intelligence arose and await analysis and action. All authors and interviewees in this AGORA edition contribute to this debate. Artificial intelligence challenges all workers, including those in the public sector, as well as unions and their officials. Employers will not always help us identify where our members need support. Unions in the (international) public service must be ready to ask the right questions and ensure that worker dignity, employment conditions, and social dialogue are preserved. Fortunately, the European Union is beginning to recognise these changes. The EU AI Act sets an initial framework (Reg. EU 2024/1689). Our federations, EPSU and ETUC, do valuable work at the EU level, supported by the ETUI.
As digital communication is available anytime, anywhere, the notion of “work environment” blurs and even disappears beyond the context of remote work at home. “Work environment” is gradually replaced by “working sphere”. Permanent availability leads to permanent stress and to employers’ expectations. Efficiency gains obtained at the expense of workers’ health may also lead to a cynical situation in which workers are called upon to train AI systems that produce job losses amongst those who contributed to their training. These aspects alone show that the deep involvement of representatives is paramount, for instance, for monitoring the right to disconnect and for addressing early re-dispatchment issues when job cuts are considered.
The recurring key points in this AGORA edition’s contributions on AI are clear. Uphold the dignity of the worker. Empower workers. Avoid unnecessary toxic monitoring. Build trust. Update data protection rules. Ensure deep involvement of staff and/or union representatives in all AI rollout measures. Always keep a human involved in sensitive decision loops.
Achieving the above will be our main challenge for many years to come.
Union officials and members should carefully read each article in this AGORA edition for insights into AI’s complex challenges. Further information is available. Understanding these issues, sharing knowledge, and acting together are essential first steps.
Within various international and European organisations, the unions affiliated to USF will need to understand the specificities of AI rollout in their environments and share their experience with USF so that as much action and coordination as possible can be achieved.
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