AI is revolutionizing the workplace, but it's also introducing major concerns about worker rights, privacy, and fairness. In a recent episode of The New Way We Work, Lorena Gonzalez, president of the California Federation of Labor Unions, discusses the urgent need for AI regulations to protect employees. From warehouse workers pushed to the limit by algorithmic quotas to employees being monitored with wearable tracking devices, Gonzalez highlights the growing risks of unchecked AI in the workplace. She believes companies must engage workers in AI decisions before deployment—not after—and advocates for stronger laws around privacy, data collection, and algorithmic management. As AI rapidly integrates into different industries, ensuring protections for workers is more critical than ever.

Key Points:

• AI and Job Displacement: McKinsey predicts that 45 million jobs could be lost to automation by 2030, though new AI-related roles are emerging.
• Lack of AI Regulation: A Workday survey found that 75% of employees say their companies have no guidelines on responsible AI use.
• Algorithmic Management: Gonzalez’s legislation was initially focused on warehouse workers but applies broadly to workplaces where AI dictates work speed and quotas.
  • Quote: “We wanted to give workers the power to question the algorithm that was speeding up their quota.”
• Worker Privacy Concerns: AI is being used for surveillance beyond traditional monitoring, including tracking conversations and driving habits outside work hours.
• Data Collection Risks: Employers increasingly collect data without workers’ knowledge, sometimes using facial recognition and behavioral tracking.
  • Quote: "The workers should have the right to know that they’re being monitored, that their data is being taken, and there should be some liability involved."
• Calls for Employee Involvement: Gonzalez stresses that business leaders should consult workers before AI is implemented to ensure fairness and transparency.
• Broader AI Regulation Efforts: Issues seen in SAG-AFTRA strikes and other industries highlight the need for comprehensive AI protections across sectors.

For the full conversation on AI regulations and workplace protections, check out The New Way We Work podcast on your favorite platform! 🎧
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