Workplace Technology: Recent Policy News & Publications from Across the U.S.
Workplace technology has been growing rapidly, and with it, concerns about bias, privacy, and worker rights have emerged. Recently, a number of policy initiatives have been introduced to address these concerns, but progress has been slow. This article provides an overview of recent policy news and publications related to workplace technology in the U.S., including:
NYC Bias Audit Law Under Attack
In 2021, New York City passed a bill governing bias audits for automated employment decision tools (AEDTs). However, the law has been criticized for being too narrow, and the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) proposed rules that further weakened its enforcement. The final rules will take effect on July 5, 2023, but there are ongoing concerns about their effectiveness.
California Chamber of Commerce Seeks to Delay Privacy Protection Laws
The California Chamber of Commerce has filed a lawsuit seeking to delay the enforcement of the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), which is set to be enforced by the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) from July 1, 2023. The lawsuit argues that businesses need more time to prepare for compliance because the CPPA missed the statutory deadline for finalizing its regulations. The CPRA is the most significant statute in U.S. history regarding workers’ data privacy rights.
AI Now Report Calls for Structural Changes in Workplace Tech Policy
The AI Now annual report, titled Confronting Tech Power, highlights the need for workplace tech policy to focus on structural changes. The report argues that disclosure and auditing requirements are not sufficient to address the key harms associated with AI, and that bright-line rules that proscribe certain applications and uses of AI are needed. The report specifically cites algorithmic management in the workplace as an area where such rules are most needed.
AI Ethics Experts Analyze Automated Workplace Surveillance
AI ethics experts Merve Hickok and Nestor Maslej recently published an article on the international policy landscape for automated workplace surveillance and productivity monitoring systems. The article provides a detailed overview of the existing tools and policy frameworks, notes historical predecessors to modern automated surveillance, and discusses the ways in which automated surveillance undermines workers’ rights.
Related Facts
– The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of workplace technology, leading to a surge in demand for AI-powered workflows, remote monitoring of workers, and other forms of automated surveillance.
– According to a 2021 report by the World Economic Forum, 84% of employers are projected to rapidly digitalize work processes, which could displace 85 million jobs by 2025.
– A 2020 report by the National Employment Law Project (NELP) found that algorithmic management systems are prevalent in industries such as retail, fast food, and logistics, and that these systems often rely on data generated by workers themselves, leading to a feedback loop that perpetuates existing biases.
Key Takeaways
– Workplace technology is growing rapidly, but policymakers have been slow to respond to concerns about bias, privacy, and worker rights.
– Existing policy initiatives are often too narrow or rely too heavily on disclosure and auditing requirements, rather than structural changes.
– More research is needed to understand the impacts of workplace technology on workers’ rights and well-being, and to develop policy frameworks that protect workers’ rights and promote ethical practices.
Conclusion
As workplace technology continues to evolve, policymakers must take proactive steps to address the challenges it poses. This includes developing rules and regulations that protect workers’ rights, promote ethical practices, and ensure that AI-powered tools are used in ways that benefit all workers. Above all, policymakers should recognize that the impacts of workplace technology are not merely technical issues, but fundamental questions of equity, justice, and democracy. By engaging with these issues in a thoughtful, informed, and nuanced way, we can build a future where technology works for everyone, not just the few.
