
Maddie Chang is a student at Harvard Law School.
In today’s Tech@Work, CNET writers push for union in light of AI concerns, and the FTC releases a policy statement on biometrics that may have implications for the use of biometrics in the workplace.
Journalists at CNET, a technology news company, are pushing to join a union and are citing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) as a major concern. As reported in Bloomberg News, about 100 CNET employees, including writers, video producers, and editors, hope to join Writers Guild of America (WGA) East. CNET came under fire earlier this year when they began using AI to write content for news stories online. After an internal audit, CNET had to go back and issue corrections on more than half of the AI-generated or written stories. One explanation that other newsrooms that have used AI have offered as to why they are using automation is that it allows writers to focus less tedious work. But there is also concern that increased use of AI in newsrooms will also lead to more layoffs. In a statement issued last week, the CNET workers said: “A union would give us a voice on new AI and marketing initiatives and allow us to safeguard our workloads, bylines and careers.” By unionizing, CNET workers are hoping to have a say in how AI tools are used in the process of covering the news.
Last week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a new policy statement on biometric technology. In the statement, the FTC defines biometric information as “data that depict or describe physical, biological, or behavioral traits, characteristics, or measurements of or relating to an identified or identifiable person’s body.” This includes things like facial recognition technology, fingerprinting, and monitoring software that tracks employees’ movements. In recent years, this type of technology has increasingly been used in the workplace, both to surveil existing workers and as part of the process of hiring new workers. The statement raises concerns about bias and discrimination that can occur as a result of using biometric technology, as well as privacy concerns that stem from “surreptitious and unexpected collection or use of biometric information.” It also cautions against making deceptive claims about the potential of these technologies to eliminate hiring bias. The statement ultimately urges companies that make and use biometric technologies to monitor their use for risks and harms, or to consider not using them in the first instance. The Commission voted 3-0 during to adopt the policy statement.
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September 28
Major questions doctrine, alleged unlawful discharge at the ACLU, opportunity to re-evaluate captive audience meetings.
September 27
The writers' guild concluded the second longest strike in the union’s history today, the Big Three Automakers’ reputations plummet, and President Biden joins the UAW picket line.
September 26
Ford hits pause on new EV plant; Canadian auto workers turn to GM; UAW victories could benefit non-union workers; Kaiser Permanente workers authorize potential strike
September 25
In today’s news and commentary, WGA reaches a deal, Canadian workers ratify a new contract with Ford Motors, and conservatives embrace the language of populism to push women into marriage. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) reached a tentative deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) late Sunday night after a […]
September 24
UAW expands strike, files ULP against a Republican senator and hosts Biden on the picket line. NLRB ALJ issues first Cemex bargaining order.
September 22
Biden and Lula announce Partnership for Workers’ Rights; GAO clears Su to serve as acting Secretary of Labor indefinitely.