‘Let’s take control’ of AI

Unite delegate Pat Dowling of the construction sector gave a nuanced view of AI and the data centres that need to be built to support it.

Speaking in support of a motion on AI and the creative industries on Tuesday (September 15) at TUC Congress, Pat expressed his solidarity with workers in creative industries where “AI is a clear and present threat to their vocation and their jobs”.

Pat highlighted how so many jobs in the UK have been affected by AI, with employers using it to monitor workers without their consent, or harvesting data from their work to eventually use it to replace workers.

He told of Unite members working as port operatives who work on cranes.

“Their work is monitored every single day, analysed and used to teach AI models how to automate those cranes,” Pay explained.

He spoke of HGV drivers under constant surveillance in their cabs, as well as finance and IT workers, whose employers see them as “a cost to be saved – and AI as the tool to do it”.

Despite all the dangers and challenges posed by AI, Pat added that it is a technology “that can’t be put back in its box”.

“We need find ways to control it, not wish it away,” he said.

Pat highlighted that the motion calls for the development of data centres to be restricted, and he added that “Unite agrees this process needs to be controlled”.

But he added that for data centres that are built, trade unions should campaign that they be built by union labour.

He said they must be covered by two of Unite’s national agreements in the construction sector which set good standards in pay and conditions.

Pat acknowledged that while data centres will need more water and more power, unions can take control by campaigning to bring these sectors under public ownership

“Build new reservoirs; upgrade the grid – that is control,” he said.

“Construction employers are notorious union busters,” Pat went on to say. “But large-scale projects are a key foothold of union power in the sector.

“We know the tech giants hate us too, but we must seize the opportunity here,” he added. “Elon Musk can tweet nonsense until he’s blue in the face. But he can’t pour concrete without our say so.”

Pat concluded by supporting the spirit of the motion and calling for unequivocal support of creative workers.

“But let’s not throw up our hands and wish the problem away,” he said. “Let’s take control.”

By Hajera Blagg

By Mark Thomas