Prospect backs call for new law to regulate algorithms at work
Prospect has welcomed a new report from the institute for the Future of Work calling for a new Algorithms Accountability Act (AAA) to regulate the use of AI and algorithms in the workplace.
Prospect contributed to the report as part of the Institute for the Future of Work’s Equality Task Force.
The report argues that AI and algorithms are “not neutral” and that ” Those at the heart of
the data economy should consciously examine the adverse impacts of their work, especially equality impacts.”
As part of the new legislation the report argues for new rights for unions and workers including:
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- A new right to know and expanded right to an explanation which would be excercisable by unions, other collectives and NGOs.
- Right for workers to be involved to a reasonable level in the development and application of algorithmic systems involving AI used at work.
- Digital access to all members and potential members to unions.
- Union equality representatives would work on a statutory footing, with specific data access entitlements.
Responding to the report Prospect general secretary Mike Clancy said:
“With more and more employers using algorithms and automated mechanisms to make decisions about their workers, it is urgent that the law is brought up to date with the new technology to ensure that new technology does not act as a Trojan horse for old forms of discrimination.
“This is an important report in making the case for stronger safeguards around the uses of algorithms in workplaces, and Prospect were pleased to be able to contribute and bring the voices of workers to this discussion.
“The exam results fiasco has already brought to public attention the palpable sense of rage and injustice that discrimination channelled through algorithms can induce, we must act before this unfairness becomes embedded in working lives and ensure that the use of this technology is transparent and open to challenge by workers.”
The full report is available here
Prospect Research Director Andrew Pakes blogged about the impact of algorithms at work here