Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1505029
#1. A Comprehensive Approach With stakes as high as the livelihoods of IATSE members in all crafts, the International is committed to addressing artificial intelligence in a comprehensive manner. Therefore, the union's approach will encompass research, collaboration, education, political and legislative advocacy, organizing efforts, and collective bargaining. #2. Research AI is evolving at an exponential pace. From the time the first machine-learning tools hit the market a few years ago up till now, the progress these applications have had is staggering. This is because machine learning tools beget new tools to accelerate the pace of machine learning. This rapid pace requires constant vigilance and diligence when it comes to staying informed of current and developing trends. Therefore, the IATSE is committed to studying this technology with a focus on how they might reshape the entertainment landscape and work with experts to develop contract provisions, legislation, and training programs to ensure that these tools are used in an equitable way. #3. Collaboration with Partners and Stakeholders IATSE leadership will collaborate with allied groups and organizations to build solidarity amongst labor advocates when it comes to AI. This partnership includes the AFL- CIO Technology Institute, the Human Artistry Campaign, the Copyright Alliance, and the Department of Professional Employees. Considering the decentralized nature of this technology and the practicality of engaging with multinational corporations, IATSE recognizes the importance of ongoing collaboration with external allies beyond the United States and Canada. This includes fostering partnerships with organizations such as UNI MEI and BECTU. By working collectively with these international counterparts, IATSE aims to address the challenges posed by the global reach of AI and strengthen the labor movement on a global scale. and local levels, that aims to equip IATSE members with comprehensive knowledge about the core aspects of contemporary artificial intelligence technologies so that workers are prepared to take advantage of the opportunities that new technologies bring. Additionally, the IATSE Training Trust Fund provides all members with a complimentary LinkedIn Learning Account, meaning that current members can take advantage of this learning path today. However, embracing these new technologies isn't the same as allowing them to run rampant. To that end, the union's Political and Legislative Department has begun talks with government officials and fellow labor leaders to discuss the implications of AI for workers and the economy. Political and Legislative Director Tyler McIntosh met with representatives from the Biden/Harris administration to discuss IATSE's concerns about how our members might be affected or displaced by machine learning. The meeting, which was attended by labor leaders, officials from the White House National Economic Council, the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the Office of the Vice President, demonstrated both the potential benefits and harm of using artificial intelligence in the workplace. On the one hand, there is no denying that many tasks can be completed in a fraction of the time they used to require and that these tools have the potential to improve safety and efficiency in the workplace. On the other hand, there are already real- world examples of the cons as well. Employers using AI to track employee performance metrics have been shown to inaccurately report or flag performance problems where none exist, leading to increased stress and mental anguish at work. It also opens up concerns about workers' right to privacy, civil rights, and autonomy from employers. Leaders within the union also concurred that the integration of artificial intelligence poses a threat to the rights of creators, including their ownership of voices, likenesses, and the ability to derive fair benefits from their intellectual property contributions. Furthermore, the utilization of AI tools by employers has introduced the potential for job cuts and increased work schedule uncertainty. In light of these concerns, participants emphasized the importance of employers and the administration ensuring that workers continue to have access to high-quality employment opportunities that prioritize their well-being and health. They further emphasized the need for workers to have a voice in determining how AI is implemented in the workplace. These talks and concerns have resulted in the creation of the IATSE Core Principles for Applications of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Technology. These eight principles represent the values our union holds when it comes to these new tools and our approach for how we will handle their continued development going forward.