Trade unions must shape AI impact in workplaces – ITUC

The International Trade Union Confederation has called for stronger worker involvement in decisions on AI adoption in workplaces.

The body asserted this at a high-profile global summit on Artificial Intelligence, hosted by the French government, convened heads of state, multinational corporations, trade unions, and academics to discuss AI’s societal implications.

Speaking at the event, ITUC Deputy General Secretary, Eric Manzi, emphasised that while AI is reshaping work, its impact depends on how it is managed.

He stressed that trade unions must play a central role in ensuring AI-driven transformation benefits all workers.

“The future of work, shaped by digitalisation and AI, is inevitable, but the outcomes are not predetermined. The question is not if this change comes, but how it is managed. And for this, workers’ trade unions are crucial,” Manzi stated.

He emphasised that technological progress must align with democratic trade union rights, including collective bargaining and social dialogue, to ensure an inclusive and equitable future of work, warning that AI-driven employment decisions and worker surveillance must be properly regulated to prevent exploitation and rights violations.

ITUC emphasised that trade unions must have an active role in shaping how AI is introduced and implemented in workplaces to ensure fair outcomes for workers. It stressed that AI should not be used to undermine fundamental labour rights, such as the freedom of association and the right to organise.

Additionally, the ITUC warned against the unchecked use of algorithmic decision-making, insisting that human oversight must remain essential, particularly in areas that impact employment, wages, and overall working conditions.

Also, the ITUC is pushing for stronger international regulations, including a legally binding International Labour Organisation Convention on Decent Work for the Platform Economy. This demand is a key agenda item for the upcoming ILO International Labour Conference in June.

Manzi reiterated that AI should not be an unchecked force that increases workplace inequalities. Instead, with the right safeguards, it can be a tool for fairer work environments.

“We need strengthened regulation at national and international levels to protect workers in the age of AI,” he said.

The ITUC’s stance underscored growing global concerns about AI’s role in labour markets. Without proper governance, AI could lead to job losses, wage suppression, and intensified surveillance.

However, Manzi said with trade unions at the table, the technology could be harnessed to enhance working conditions rather than degrade them.

As the AI revolution accelerates, the ITUC insisted that governments and employers must ensure workers’ rights remain central to technological transformation.