WHEREAS: 

Artificial intelligence (AI) technology is rapidly advancing and will impact every sector, including many occupations held by AFSCME members; and 

WHEREAS: 

AI technology has the potential to both enhance and negatively impact job quality and service outcomes for many public service occupations, such as benefits eligibility determination, nursing, law enforcement and home care; and 

WHEREAS: 

The development and deployment of AI systems raises critical concerns related to job screening, worker surveillance and potential displacement of workers; and 

WHEREAS: 

AI deployment also raises concerns related to civil rights, fair elections, privacy rights, consumer protections and public safety; and 

WHEREAS: 

Technological change has historically been implemented without sufficient safeguards and policy protections, leading to devastating consequences for working people and their communities; and 

WHEREAS: 

The risks posed by AI to our nation's civic community necessitate a thoughtful approach to the development of this technology, including clearly distinguishing AI-generated content; and 

WHEREAS: 

President Biden's Executive Order on AI emphasizes the need for workers to be involved in shaping the development and use of artificial intelligence technology, including through collective bargaining. 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: 

That AFSCME supports President Biden's Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence, which provides a seat at the table for workers, including through collective bargaining, to ensure we all benefit from the opportunities presented by this technology; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: 

That AFSCME will advocate for robust policies and regulations to govern the responsible development and deployment of AI systems, ensuring the protection of workers' rights, civil liberties and the public interest, and ensuring AI does not exacerbate discrimination, bias, fraud and the disempowerment of workers; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: 

That AFSCME will advocate to ensure that labor has a meaningful, decision-making role on the use of AI in the workplace through collective bargaining at every stage of the process, including design, implementation and monitoring of AI systems; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: 

That AFSCME will advocate that the benefits of AI are shared equitably, where workers have access to opportunities that AI creates through education and training, and where workers whose jobs are impacted by the technology receive protections, support and retraining as needed to prevent the loss of living standards and dislocation from the labor force; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: 

That AFSCME will support ethical guidelines and transparent processes for the development and use of AI, with a particular emphasis on identifying AI-generated content and mitigating the risks of misinformation, disinformation and deepfakes; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: 

That AFSCME will engage, collaborate with and, where possible, support the efforts of other unions working to protect the labor and rights of their workers in relation to the development, design and implementation of AI in their fields of work; and 

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED: 

That AFSCME will remain vigilant in monitoring the impacts of AI on our members and the broader workforce, and will continue to advocate for policies that prioritize workers' rights, civil liberties, public safety and the well-being of our communities. 

SUBMITTED BY:
Chris Mabe, President and Delegate 
OCSEA/AFSCME Local 11 
OCSEA/AFSCME Local 11 Board of Directors 
Ohio  

Sheera Glass, Delegate
James Whooley, Delegate 
Juliet White, Delegate 
Thomas Orawiec, Delegate 
AFSCME Local 154, District Council 37 
New York 

R. Sean Grayson, President
David Kovacs, Recording Secretary 
AFSCME Council 8 
Ohio