UNI GS to AI Action Summit: Workers must help shape AI’s future

Speaking at the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit today, UNI Global Union General Secretary Christy Hoffman outlined an urgent decision facing our societies: either let AI widen the gap between rich and poor or give workers a seat at the table to shape its future. 

Representing more than 20 million workers across 150 countries, Hoffman joined a high-profile panel on “Harnessing AI for the Future of Work” where she will call on governments, employers and tech giants to put people at the centre of AI innovations.  

On the dynamics of AI in the economy, she stressed: 

“Workers everywhere have fear about their futures, and for good reason. Our societies are not ready for an AI transformation.  

“Workers don’t have confidence that employers will include them in decisions about how and where AI will be used, that their jobs are safe or that they will have a chance to learn the skills that will be required to move forward. 

“People fear losing not only their livelihoods but also their way of life. But we know it does not have to be this way. A voice on the job goes a long way towards addressing fear and minimizing risks. Unions have successfully negotiated new technology at work for a very long time.” 

On the need for social dialogue, Hoffman said: 

“We know from history that an inclusive AI transition is possible but far from guaranteed. According to even modest projections, many millions are likely to be displaced by AI over the next five years. And we can’t sweep those people under the rug or watch them fall through the cracks. 

“We have important choices to make about the kind of future we want, and time is running out.   

“With the right ground rules, set by people-centred policies and hammered out through social dialogue and bargaining, we can rise together.” 

Hoffman spoke alongside: Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus; Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director General of the ILO; Denis Machuel, CEO of the Adecco Group; and moderator Sana de Courcelles. 

African Tech Workers Rising, a UNI-backed project, is also at the summit as a featured presenter. Former Facebook content moderator Sonia Kgomo represents thousands of data supply chain workers in Africa and beyond who are organizing for better wages, safer jobs and accountability from Big Tech companies for conditions at subcontractors. 

As one of the few Summit participants speaking directly on behalf of workers, Hoffman’s perspective underscores urgent need for collective bargaining, consultation and transparency regarding technology at the workplace – especially AI. She is a leading international voice championing decent work in the digital age