The TUC has published a report into the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by employers to manage people management functions, looking at the experience of workers.

The report is intended to identify objectives to ensure that the interests of workers are not overlooked in the use of AI.

Over the past few years, there has been nothing short of a technological revolution going on at work. However, while the impact of automation on functions such as the manufacture of goods and provision of retail services is well recognised, far less attention has been given to the rapid development of AI to carry out management functions.

Aspects of the employment relationship (for example, decisions on recruitment, line management, monitoring and training) are increasingly being managed by AI, instead of by a person.

When the TUC asked workers about their experience of technologies making or informing decisions about them at work, 22% who responded said they had experience of use of technologies of this type for absence management, 15% for ratings, 14% for work allocation, 14% for timetabling shifts, and 14% in the assessment of training needs and allocation.

The use of AI in this way has significant implications for workers in terms of their employment rights, such as their rights to equality, privacy and data protection, their physical and mental wellbeing, and wider issues such as the balance of power between employers and the workforce, and democracy at work.

TUC research finds many people do not know what these AI-powered management tools are, how they operate, and what their impact is. Indeed, it is very likely that these technologies are far more widespread than the survey results suggest.

When the TUC asked workers whether it was possible that the AI-powered technologies highlighted to them were being used at their workplace, but that they were just not aware of this, 89% said either “yes” or “not sure”.

The trade union suspects this is largely due to a lack of consultation and transparency regarding the use of AI at work, and in relation to the collection, use and ownership of worker data. The research revealed that only 28% of workers are comfortable with technology being used to make decisions about people at work.

This report highlights these issues by considering:

• the worker experience of AI-powered technologies being used for management purposes;
• the impact on workers of the use of these technologies; and
• objectives to ensure AI technologies meet worker and trade union needs.

The report is the product of the first stage of a TUC project on AI and the employment relationship. The second stage of the project will build on the objectives identified in this report.

These objectives include achieving stronger consultation and transparency over the use of AI at work, a focus on the importance of worker wellbeing, achieving fair, lawful use of AI that is accessible and useful to all, and increasing worker control and understanding of data.

A legal and policy report with recommendations for reform will follow in early 2021, and a guide for trade union representatives later in 2021.

The full report can be downloaded here.