AI must work 'for us not against us'

Unite delegate Susan Matthews gave a barnstorming speech on Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the last day of Labour conference (Wednesday September 30)

She spoke of the “broad” impact and scale of AI on culture and society, as well as the workplace.

At work, AI has caused major redunancies across sectors in the country, Susan said, adding that we are only now beginning to see “the full length of its influence

“Our understanding of the implications of AI remains limited,” she said.

But one thing is certain – the wealthy elites who are behind the development of AI are completely unaccountable, and do not have the best interests of society at heart.

“History tells us that profit before people has no ending,” Susan went on to say.

“We know it leads to exploitation,” she said, adding that these “new technologies are enabling all forms of discrimination – and it is the same old discrimination and oppression.”

She said AI is perpetrating systematic discrimination, and she spoke of research showing that it replicates racist stereotypes.

Susan highlighted the example of police in the US arresting the wrong Black person because AI had been ‘trained’ that they all look the same.

“Technology can also be used to track and oppress workers,” Susan added.

Susan said that there is widespread misuderstanding that AI is somehow “above human prejudice” and is “neutral”.

“Let’s let AI work for us rather than against us,” she said.

Making reference to Murphy’s Law, which states that ‘anything that can go wrong, will go wrong’, Susan called for extreme caution over the development of AI.

Calling for support of the motion to widespread applause, Susan concluded, “Let us root out AI that dehumanises people.”

By Hajera Blagg

Photo by Mark Thomas