The Role of Workers in AI Ethics and Governance
Abstract While the role of states, corporations, and international organizations in AI governance has been extensively theorized, the role of workers has received comparatively little attention. This chapter looks at the role that workers play in identifying and mitigating harms from AI technologies. Harms are the causally assessed “impacts” of technologies. They arise despite technical reliability and are not a result of technical negligence but rather of normative uncertainty around questions of safety and fairness in complex social systems. There is high consensus in the AI ethics community on the benefits of reducing harms but less consensus on mechanisms for determining or addressing harms. This lack of consensus has led to numerous collective actions by workers protesting how harms are identified and addressed in their workplace. This chapter theorizes the role of workers within AI governance and constructs a model of harm reporting processes in AI workplaces. The harm reporting
Abstract While the role of states, corporations, and international organizations in AI governance has been extensively theorized, the role of workers has received comparatively little attention. This chapter looks at the role that workers play in identifying and mitigating harms from AI technologies. Harms are the causally assessed “impacts” of technologies. They arise despite technical reliability and are not a result of technical negligence but rather of normative uncertainty around questions of safety and fairness in complex social systems. There is high consensus in the AI ethics community on the benefits of reducing harms but less consensus on mechanisms for determining or addressing harms. This lack of consensus has led to numerous collective actions by workers protesting how harms are identified and addressed in their workplace. This chapter theorizes the role of workers within AI governance and constructs a model of harm reporting processes in AI workplaces. The harm reporting process involves three steps: identification, the governance decision, and the response. Workers draw upon three types of claims to argue for jurisdiction over questions of AI governance: subjection, control over the product of one’s labor, and proximate knowledge of systems. Examining the past decade of AI-related worker activism allows us to understand how different types of workers are positioned within a workplace that produces AI systems, how their position informs their claims, and the place of collective action in staking their claims. This chapter argues that workers occupy a unique role in identifying and mitigating harms caused by AI systems.
Executive Summary
This article explores the crucial role of workers in AI ethics and governance, focusing on their capacity to identify and mitigate harms caused by AI technologies. It highlights the lack of consensus on mechanisms for determining or addressing harms and the subsequent collective actions by workers. The chapter constructs a model of harm reporting processes and examines worker activism over the past decade, arguing that workers occupy a unique position in AI governance.
Key Points
- ▸ Workers play a vital role in identifying and mitigating harms from AI technologies
- ▸ The lack of consensus on mechanisms for determining or addressing harms has led to worker protests and collective actions
- ▸ Workers draw upon claims of subjection, control over the product of one’s labor, and proximate knowledge of systems to argue for jurisdiction over AI governance
Merits
Comprehensive Analysis
The article provides a thorough examination of the role of workers in AI ethics and governance, shedding light on a previously underexplored area.
Demerits
Limited Scope
The article's focus on worker activism and harm reporting processes may not fully capture the broader complexities of AI governance and ethics.
Expert Commentary
This article makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the critical role that workers play in AI ethics and governance. By examining the ways in which workers identify and mitigate harms, the author sheds light on the complex power dynamics at play in AI workplaces. The article's findings have important implications for the development of more responsible and equitable AI systems, and highlight the need for policymakers and industry leaders to prioritize worker involvement in AI governance.
Recommendations
- ✓ Policymakers and industry leaders should prioritize the development of worker-centered harm reporting processes and training programs
- ✓ Further research is needed to explore the intersection of worker involvement and AI governance in diverse industrial and cultural contexts.
Sources
Original: OpenAlex
