Artificial Intelligence in the Interests of Working People

AI is transforming society and work, yet workers and trade unions lack a meaningful say over its introduction. The benefits risk being captured by large technology companies, while job losses, deskilling, surveillance, exploitation and inequality are borne by working people.

Conference believes AI should raise living standards, strengthen public services and empower working people, rather than undermine employment and concentrate economic and political power. Its use must be guided by the public interest, with workers and trade unions having a meaningful say.

Conference calls on NIC-ICTU to campaign for the Northern Ireland Executive and UK Government to:

1. Establish independent AI regulators with robust enforcement powers, tasked with ensuring AI protects workers’ rights, the environment, public safety, privacy and economic wellbeing.
2. Introduce national AI plans setting out a strategy placing household prosperity alongside economic growth and national security, promoting workers’ rights, public safety and state assets while resisting undue influence from Big Tech.
3. Increase public ownership and democratic control of strategic AI assets and infrastructure, including national datasets, with trade unions represented on governing boards.
4. Prevent AI-driven offshoring, requiring employers to demonstrate that AI restructuring will not undermine employment and conditions.
5. Give recognised trade unions the right to negotiate and agree the introduction and use of AI in the workplace.
6. Ensure trade unions are embedded in decisions over the development, procurement and deployment of AI across public services.