Microsoft and AFL-CIO Forge Historic Union Contract on AI Implementation

Microsoft has reached a tentative agreement with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) on union contract language governing the company's use of artificial intelligence (AI). The agreement includes Microsoft's six previously announced AI principles and commits the company to applying these principles across all of its AI technologies. It also obligates Microsoft to inform the union of any potential impact on work performed by union members due to AI or other automation and to negotiate over the impact on employees. The inclusion of this language in an enforceable union contract means that Microsoft is bound to follow through. The agreement with CWA gives Microsoft a recruiting advantage and may inspire more workers to unionize.