The White House is turning its attention to how companies are using artificial intelligence to monitor and manage their employees. The Biden administration is inviting American workers, advocacy groups, researchers, and even employers to share their experiences with automated tools in the workplace. While AI technology can have some benefits for both workers and employers, it can also pose serious risks to workers' safety and mental health, according to a blog post that will be published later today. The constant tracking of performance can push workers to move too fast on the job, which could lead to safety risks and negatively impact their mental health.
The White House is also concerned about reports of AI technology being used to deter workers from organizing their workplaces and perpetuating pay and discipline discrimination. The Biden administration is seeking input from a variety of stakeholders to understand the economic, safety, physical, mental, and emotional impacts of workplace surveillance technology. The goal is to determine what regulations and enforcement actions the federal government should implement to address these issues.
This move comes after several states passed laws against unreasonable productivity quotas, such as New York's Warehouse Worker Protection Act, which gives workers the right to request information on their quota at any time and prohibits companies from imposing productivity demands that interfere with mandated meal and restroom breaks. The White House's call for information shows that it is committed to protecting the rights and well-being of American workers in the face of advancing AI technology.
