A policy primer and roadmap on AI worker surveillance and productivity scoring tools

Abstract

Algorithmic worker surveillance and productivity scoring tools powered by artificial intelligence (AI) are becoming prevalent and ubiquitous technologies in the workplace. These tools are applied across white and blue-collar jobs, and gig economy roles. In the absence of legal protections, and strong collective action capabilities, workers are in an imbalanced power position to challenge the practices of employers using these tools. Use of such tools undermines human dignity and human rights. These tools are also built on fundamentally erroneous assumptions. The primer section of this paper provides stakeholders (policymakers, advocates, workers, and unions) with insights into assumptions embedded in workplace surveillance and scoring technologies, how employers use these systems which impact human rights. The roadmap section lays out actionable recommendations for policy and regulatory changes which can be enacted by federal agencies and labor unions. The paper uses major policy frameworks developed or supported by the United States as the foundation for policy recommendations. These are Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Principles for the Responsible Stewardship of Trustworthy AI (OECD AI Principles), Fair Information Practices (FIPs) and the White House Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights.