Work and the AI Revolution
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the way we work and, alongside boosting productivity, offers an opportunity to improve working lives. But new technologies also pose risks: more inequality and discrimination, unsafe working conditions, and unhealthy blurring of the boundaries between home and work.
The TUC believes we are now at a crucial moment in the AI-driven technological workplace revolution.
These reports are part of the TUC project on AI and the employment relationship.
Research and reports
- Technology Managing People - The worker experience: a report informed by a TUC survey of workers, trade union reps, BritainThinks polling and a literature review.
- Technology Managing People - The legal implications: a report carried out for the TUC by leading employment rights lawyers Robin Allen QC and Dee Masters from the AI Law Consultancy
- Dignity at work and the AI revolution: this manifesto highlights the values we should all adopt to make sure that technology at work is for the benefit of everyone along with our proposals for change.
Guides for union officers and reps
- Guide for union reps - When AI is the boss: This guide for reps sets outs how AI systems work, what the implications are for workers and unions, and some of the solutions unions can provide.
- People powered technology - Collective agreements and digital management systems: The guide is designed to signpost union reps and others on how to gain a basic understanding of the technology how it operates, and why it matters – before starting any negotiating.
- Managed by Artificial Intelligence: This piece of learning is for union reps and members who want to know about the impact that artificial intelligence is having in the workplace and who would like to support unions in negotiating agreements on this issue.
Please show your support for our manifesto values and our proposals for change
Research and reports
Technology managing people - The worker experience
TUC research revealed that only 28 per cent of workers are comfortable with technology being used to make decisions about people at work.
This report highlights the implications of AI being used to make decisions about people at work by considering:
- the worker experience of AI-powered technologies being used for management purposes
- the impact on workers of the use of these technologies
- objectives to ensure AI technologies meet worker and trade union needs.
Our report is informed by a TUC survey of both workers and trade union reps, as well as BritainThinks polling and a literature review.
Download report (pdf)
Technology Managing People – The legal implications
AI systems present opportunities for all, but these new technologies must be deployed in the right way. This report sets out the legal redress available to workers when AI decision-making goes wrong, explores gaps in the law and guidance (illustrated by case studies), and goes on to make recommendations for reform.
Download report (pdf)
Dignity at work and the AI revolution
In this manifesto, we highlight the values we should all adopt to make sure that technology at work is for the benefit of everyone, and to reassert the importance of human agency in the face of technological control. We also set out our detailed proposals for change.
Guides for union officers and reps
When AI is the boss
There are many different options open to unions when it comes to dealing with the problems caused by AI. This guide for reps sets outs how AI systems work, what the implications are for workers and unions, and some of the solutions unions can provide.
People powered technology - Collective agreements and digital management systems
This guide follows on from When AI is the Boss. It will help you:
- develop their understanding of digital management systems and the implications for workers
- get ready to negotiate with an employer about the use of digital management systems
- establish a collective agreement with provisions on digital management systems
- put together union training programmes on the above.
Download guide (pdf)
Managed by Artificial Intelligence
This interactive guide will:
- introduce you to the digital systems being used to manage workers
- detail the harms and benefits artificial intelligence may bring
- show you how to explain the issues to others and prepare you to support your union in negotiating agreements on this issue.
Webinar: AI in the workplace
Watch our panel of speakers discuss artificial intelligence (AI) and its growing impact on jobs and workplaces and its increasing involvement in managing people at work.
The time for action is now
Work is a huge part of all our lives. It matters to all of us that we get this technological revolution right. Please support our values and proposals for change.
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