Abstract
The purpose of this article is to identify ways to bring workers’ voices into the development and use of generative artificial intelligence (AI). Drawing on more than fifty interviews we conducted, we identify lessons new deployments of generative AI tools can take from research on worker voice to ensure that the adoption and use of generative AI is beneficial for workers, organizations, and society. Evidence from recent interviews and past research indicates that input from workers can increase the likelihood that organizations use generative AI tools effectively and workers’ job quality improves. The evidence collected also suggests that generative AI is particularly well-suited to “bottom-up” development and use based on workforce experimentation. Moreover, we document the growth in labor union interest in and capacity for collaborating with business, developer, and academic institutions, negotiating new collective bargaining provisions governing use of AI, and educating their members on these issues. We then discuss how workers can be involved throughout the technology development and implementation process. Our recommendations outline steps for ensuring that generative AI will both drive innovation and help shape the future of work to the benefit of all stakeholders. Keywords: worker voice, generative artificial intelligence, participatory design, union engagement, bottom-up innovations
Showing the abstract — retrieve the full paper via the Exa API.