Liberal AI strategy puts Big Tech ahead of workers: CUPE
Canada’s largest union says the Liberal government’s artificial intelligence strategy announced Tuesday is putting the profits of Big Tech billionaires ahead of workers and the public by soft-pedalling protections against the risks of AI. CUPE is concerned the strategy is sorely lacking in measures to address the risks of AI harms to workers: nothing to strengthen income protections for workers who lose their jobs due to AI, and no assurances that workers' privacy and data protection rights will be protected.
The Liberals claim they slowed down their rushed consultation process and listened to people’s concerns about AI. But the federal AI strategy still pushes sweeping adoption of this overhyped technology and ignores widespread calls for AI protections.
“Workers need laws that address the very real risks of AI,” said CUPE National President Mark Hancock. “The rush to profit from AI is happening in a regulatory vacuum. If the government doesn’t put up guardrails, workers will be managed by algorithms no one can see or challenge, and it will do real harm.”
The risks to workers from AI include jobs being dramatically transformed or eliminated, invasive electronic surveillance, unaccountable algorithms managing workers, and AI-led decisions that are biased or discriminatory.
