AI Equalities at Work

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Artificial intelligence (AI) creates risks for all workers. When used to manage people it can make work more insecure and less well paid. When used to automate tasks it risks leading to redundancies.

TUC Cymru wanted to find out how these risks applied to various groups of workers, namely  

  • Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic workers
  • Disabled workers
  • Older and younger workers
  • Women
  • Workers who speak minority languages, such as Welsh.

That’s why TUC Cymru asked the renowned expert Professor Lina Dencik, the Director of Data Justice Lab and her team to investigate the impact of AI on various groups of workers.  The report is called ‘AI Inequalities at Work’ and it is out now.

The research found that workers in these groups face specific risks from AI at work.  That's because often, these workers are already on minimum wage, or on an insecure contract, where AI is being used to manage them and drive down their terms and conditions.  Furthermore, these workers are more likely to face discrimination at the hands of AI.

The researchers note that by showcasing how such inequalities are present and become manifested within the workplace across different groups of workers, the report highlights both the intersectional nature of AI inequalities as well as the particularities of different lived experiences.  

The report considers the use of AI at every stage of the employment relationship.  Today, even before you join a workplace, you encounter AI as it is often used to assist in the recruitment of new staff.  If you are a woman, a member of an ethnic minority or disabled, there is evidence to show that AI may discriminate against your application.

Once in work, AI can be used to manage your working life in whole or in part.  The research found that women and young workers tend to occupy more precarious positions in the labour market where experimentation with AI technologies in the management of workers has become more widespread, such as care work and platform labour, often involving increased surveillance and work intensification. They also dominate in jobs that are more likely to be replaced by AI-driven automation

We’d urge you, as a worker to look at the research and take the issue to your union branch.  If you’re a union rep, take the issue to management.  TUC Cymru has successfully negotiated guidance on the use of AI in the public sector.  Use it, read it and adapt it for your workplace.

TUC provides other useful resources about AI for reps and campaigns for the UK government to bring in new workplace protections.  We want to see the law changed so that no unlawful discriminatory decisions should be made using technology, as part of our AI Manifesto.  

AI poses opportunities and risks for all workers.  It poses specific, often additional risks for certain groups of workers.  Your trade union branch holds the key to tackling the risks of AI and realising its benefits for all.