Artificial intelligence is spreading quickly and could be coming to your workplace soon. There are many questions to ask about any new technology. CUPE locals can bargain collective agreement language requiring their employers to conduct a technology and data impact assessment that evaluates the risks of AI.
CUPE has developed an impact assessment form. Locals should give it to their employer to complete as part of a full assessment of the risks and benefits of new technologies like AI systems.
Contact your national representative for collective agreement language on impact assessments.
An impact assessment should be conducted before new technology is introduced, and every year afterward.
New technologies like AI systems can have a significant impact on workers’ human rights, privacy, and work life.
An assessment forces the employer to regularly review and document the use of existing digital systems. This process can identify potential harmful effects on workers.
Impact assessments can also be used to support the safe, secure and fair collecting, processing, and use of workers’ data.
Your local can review the impact assessment responses to ensure the employer has addressed the risks of technology being used and data being collected, processed and used.