Parliament gears up for AI showdown

Despite the Commission’s self-obsession with simplification, the need for regulatory action and common sense perseveres in the world beyond the Berlaymont.

After the long-debated introduction of product-based rules for artificial intelligence, AI is now once again in the headlights of regulators, with the numerous gaps and omissions in the AI Act now being addressed.

The use of algorithmic management has increased rapidly in the EU, with OECD survey estimating that up to 80% of European companies deploy algorithmic management systems to some extent. Through generative, shadow and other AI uses, the “human in control” principle has been seen as secondary to companies racing to implement (without oversight) the latest systems.

AI usage in workplace organisations is currently unaddressed for most European workers, leaving major concerns on how systems impact workers privacy, autonomy and other aspects of the working life, an area addressed in Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness Roxana Mînzatu’s mission letter.

Mentioned in this was the need for an "initiative" regarding algorithmic management, with the Parliament now taking steps to propose, direct and create political momentum for a Directive on Algorithmic Management.

Although in the early stage of the Parliament's process a draft report, entitled recommendations to the Commission on digitalisation, artificial intelligence and algorithmic management in the workplace – shaping the future of work and seen by Eurocadres, shows a united front amongst MEPs to address this growing workplace issue.

Drafted by the EPP’s Andrzej Buła, the report, (while not legally binding) holds important political weight in the push for regulatory action, specifically calling for the Commission to initiate regulatory action. Coming from the group championing simplification, it is a welcome deviation to action that supports workers’ rights, health and safety and quality of work.

Unsurprisingly, the report is based, in part, on the advocacy efforts undertaken by  Eurocadres and other unions and civil society organisation, following the existing legislative standards set by the Platform Work Directive to regulate algorithmic management. A key ask of ours in harmonising and standardising our labour market is the expansion of these protections to all workers - including the self-employed worker groups. The existing Platform Work Directive provides platform workers already with important rights for transparency, the human-in-control -principle and trade union representation when managed with the support of AI systems.

While still in its infancy, the report will likely be scrutinised by the employment committee in September, with an indicative deadline for finalisation around the beginning of next year. While the content of the report is subject to amendments, the current draft includes major provisions that would bring more transparency to the use of algorithmic systems, while supporting the human-in-control principle in workplaces. To sufficiently support workers’ rights and trustworthy use of AI, Eurocadres is actively advocating for a strong standard of union representation and social dialogue as central pillars for the use of AI systems, as in any management systems, and adequate risk assessment during the whole lifecycle of AI systems processes to avoid adverse impacts.

While we input to this process, newly adopted European AI regulations are already being implemented. The Artificial Intelligence Act,  will be implemented in the coming years, while in parallel problematic cases of AI usage in workplaces continue unabated.

While welcoming movement on this front, Eurocadres will continue to be at the forefront in calling for ambitious minimum standards that cover all European workers, including professionals and managers.