In addition, Microsoft has partnered with the AFL-CIO, the largest federation of unions in the country, marking a significant shift from its previous reluctance to work with unions. This partnership aims to explore the impact of AI on workers and involves sharing critical information about AI trends with labor leaders. Microsoft also commits to considering worker perspectives in the development of new technologies.
Key takeaways:
- Microsoft has reached an agreement on union contract terms that address the use of artificial intelligence (AI), marking the first instance of collective bargaining in the company's history in the United States.
- The agreement was reached with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) union and applies to several hundred staff members at Microsoft's game studio ZeniMax.
- The contract requires Microsoft to notify the CWA whenever AI or related automation technology is implemented in a way that could impact workers, and to engage in genuine negotiations with the CWA regarding proposed changes.
- Microsoft has also entered into a partnership with the AFL-CIO, the largest federation of unions in the country, committing to maintain a neutral stance on union initiatives and to share critical information with labor leaders regarding influential AI trends.