On Thursday, 23 January, Roxana Mînzatu—the European Commission executive vice-president responsible for social rights and skills, quality jobs, and preparedness—told the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) that she was determined to push for new legislative initiatives on artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace.
She was speaking at an EESC plenary session dedicated to AI-related changes in the world of work.
The executive vice-president insisted first and foremost on maintaining human control in any algorithmic management of work and on keeping social dialogue at the heart of all transformations. She commented that dialogue among social partners could lead to compromises, “without preconceived notions about [...] AI”.
Believing AI can play a useful role in the world of work, she stressed the importance of transparency in its use and listed the legislative tools that the EU already has, including the AI Act, the General Data Protection Regulation, and the very first EU regulation on algorithmic management and platform work, which acknowledges the need for human supervision in all decisions affecting workers.
“I will [...] push for new legislation”, she promised, saying that she was certain that AI could serve workers “and not the other way round.”
Alongside [the executive vice-president], Polish Deputy Minister of Family Katarzyna Nowakowska pointed out that AI and its impact on the labour market constitute one of the priorities of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU—representing both “a threat” and “a chance”.
[She notes that] while AI represents “tremendous opportunities to increase [...] competitiveness”, questions are simultaneously being raised, notably with regard to respect for working conditions, job quality, and maintaining the anti-discrimination framework. She added that it is therefore necessary to ensure fundamental rights are respected in all AI training models.
AI models must be designed in such a way that workers can submit problems they encounter and receive feedback; employers must also inform employees that AI is being used in the workplace.
It is still necessary to oppose any limitation of social rights—whether it concerns health and safety at work, working hours, or the anti-discrimination framework.
‘Employers’ against new regulations. On Wednesday, 22 January, the EESC Employers’ Group adopted an opinion affirming that the EU must ensure that it uses AI’s full potential to improve productivity and well-being at work within the existing legal framework.
“AI has the potential to yield tremendous benefits in the world of work: it increases competitiveness and productivity, drives innovation, boosts the green transition, and supports improvement of working conditions”, declared Stefano Mallia, the group’s president.
However, [he believes,] “There is no need for additional legislation, as this also contradicts the current political commitment to reducing reporting requirements by 25%. Changing the existing regulatory framework even before its implementation would send a very negative message in terms of advancement and investment in AI in the EU”.
Link to the opinion: https://aeur.eu/f/f65 (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)