Empowering workers with AI: A union-partner approach

With “labor” in our name, it’s no surprise that the U.S. Department of Labor’s mission is to support our nation’s workers. As part of the Biden-Harris administration’s Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence, our top priority is engaging with workforce stakeholders to ensure their participation and inclusion in AI implementation strategies.

A journey of collaboration and success

Our journey began with a clear vision: to ensure AI works for our own workers, not against them. At the heart of our efforts is a whole-of-department approach. Our chief artificial intelligence officer (CAIO) has coordinated with program heads from our 27 agencies to ensure comprehensive representation in AI activities and decision-making. This initiative extends beyond agency leaders to include the department’s workforce unions, which represent two-thirds of our 15,000 employees.

Union participation is crucial. It ensures that workers have a vital role in the responsible development and use of AI, aiming to enrich jobs rather than replace them. 

Leading by example

We are committed to leading by example, ensuring alignment between external principles and internal AI use at the Labor Department. One of our significant achievements is the development of AI principles for employers and developers and building an AI initiative within the department. Crafted through extensive engagement with employees, unions and departmental leadership, this initiative also adheres to the Office of Management and Budget’s memorandum M-24-10 on advancing governance, innovation and risk management in agency AI use.

Here are some of our key milestones:

• Published AI principles: conducted listening sessions with a wide range of stakeholders, including unions, to develop eight guiding AI principles for employers and developers.
• Established AI governance board: Partnered with our unions to form a board that oversees AI implementation at the department.
• Monthly agency meetings: The CAIO hosts agency leadership meetings to discuss AI use cases and ensure responsible AI implementation.
• AI job enrichment center: Promotes the use of AI to enrich jobs, provides training and shares responsible AI guidelines throughout our agencies.
• Community of interest: A platform to share updates and provide training and AI knowledge to Labor Department federal staff.
• Impact assessment framework: Developed to ensure our AI use cases meet OMB’s recommended standards.

Addressing concerns

We recognize that AI has the potential to change the workplace in positive ways, but its use also raises concerns. By involving unions and workers from the beginning, we ensure transparency and inclusivity. This collaborative approach helps address fears about job replacement and emphasizes how AI can support job enrichment and workforce empowerment.

A vision for the future

As we continue to leverage technologies like AI, we remain committed to partnering with our internal workforce, unions and stakeholders. Our vision is clear: to make AI work for workers, ensuring that technology helps us meet our mission to foster and promote the welfare of America’s workforce.

Looking ahead, we plan to expand our AI initiatives, focusing on continuous improvement and innovation. We aim to launch new programs that further integrate AI into various departments, providing more training and support for our employees. Our goal is to create an environment where AI not only complements the work of our employees but also drives significant advancements in productivity and job satisfaction.

Mangala Kuppa is the chief technology officer and chief AI officer for the Labor Department. Mary Beech is the director of workers and technology policy in the department’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy.