AFL-CIO, Microsoft announce tech-labor partnership on AI and workforce future

This doesn't really touch on the most important element: the collective bargaining agreement between Microsoft and the ZeniMax union has provisions that

1. Incorporate Microsoft's existing AI principles [1]. This is a big deal because it means they aren't just PR fluff anymore, but something immutable with legal force (although that legal force is very small, as labor law is weak and it would only apply where the ZeniMax union has standing).

2. Microsoft must notify and bargain with the union when some new AI use is going to impact their work [2]. If this becomes the model, it could radically change AI governance. So far all talk of AI governance has come from AI ethics researchers, "longtermists" and the leaders of AI companies. This is the first move towards some form of governance accountable to people at large rather than some small group making decisions.

[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-11/microsoft...

[2] https://cwa-union.org/news/releases/zenimax-workers-united-c...