On Monday (December 11), Microsoft announced a partnership with the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), which will establish an open dialogue focusing on the impact of artificial intelligence on workers.。

The AFL-CIO is the largest union federation in the United States, comprising 60 unions representing about 12.5 million workers.。

According to Microsoft's official website, the cooperation will achieve the following goals:

● Provide artificial intelligence education for workers。Microsoft will provide formal learning opportunities on the latest and future developments in artificial intelligence, providing labor leaders and workers with key information and insights on the future development of this new technology。The events will begin with a learning session in the winter of 2024, hosted by Microsoft's AI experts, and will cover topics such as how AI works and where it's headed.。Microsoft will also work with the American Federation of Teachers to explore joint opportunities for career and technical education jobs to help prepare students for the high-paying jobs of the future.。In addition, the two sides will hold in-depth experiential workshops tailored to specific occupations and roles from 2024 to 2026.。

● Direct feedback from labor leaders and workers。To ensure that workers "expertise and perspectives inform the work of Microsoft AI developers, the two sides developed a mechanism that allows labor leaders and workers to share insights, concerns, and feedback directly to developers about the technology.。The collaboration will begin with a focus on unions and workers in selected key sectors and will begin this winter in the form of a Microsoft-hosted labor summit.。At that time, labor leaders and workers will gather with Microsoft's major AI product developers, researchers and business leaders for in-depth discussions to jointly design and develop "worker-centered technologies."。

● Joint policy and skills development。The AFL-CIO and Microsoft will propose joint support policies to equip workers with the basic skills, knowledge and financial support they need to thrive in an AI-driven economy.。Both sides will support the expansion of registered apprenticeships, particularly in non-traditional technical vocational areas, and advocate for funding for vocational and technical education.。In terms of AI courses, LinkedIn Generative AI content will be tailored to specific industries most affected by AI, and Microsoft and the AFL-CIO Technical Academy will jointly develop and implement new content and professional learning opportunities to prepare employees for the workplace of the future.。

Facing AI Anxiety

The hand-in-hand between Microsoft and the AFL-CIO comes at a time when AI is booming and when ordinary workers are deeply anxious about AI technology.。

McKinsey & Company, a consulting firm, estimated in a July research note that up to 30 percent of working hours in the U.S. economy could be automated by 2030, and projected that 12 million workers could need to transition to a different occupation.。

According to an AFL-CIO poll in August, 70% of workers fear being replaced by AI。Women workers, in particular, see AI as having the potential to worsen job inequality。

While the AI wave will cause some unemployment, it is also expected to create jobs related to emerging technologies.。Therefore, for ordinary workers, being able to understand this trend and being exposed to certain artificial intelligence technologies will benefit them.。

"I can't sit here and say AI will never replace jobs.。I think it's dishonest。Liz Shuler, chairman of the AFL-CIO, said: "Artificial intelligence is carefully designed to accelerate and eliminate some parts of people's work that you might consider drudgery.。"

The collaboration is the first time that labor and tech companies have focused on artificial intelligence.。Liz Shuler said: "This partnership reflects recognition of the critical role workers play in the development, deployment and regulation of AI and related technologies.。"The union looks forward to working with Microsoft to expand the role of workers in creating worker-centric design, workforce training, and trusted AI practices."。"

AI anxiety is not only for workers, but also for technology companies.。For businesses, AI talent shortage could threaten innovation and implementation of the technology。Therefore, the artificial intelligence training of employees is particularly important。

A study by research firm Access Partnership found that 73% of employers say hiring AI tech talent is a top priority。Employers also said they expect their earnings to increase by 47% if workers improve their AI skills.。McKinsey also stated in the report: "The shortage of qualified personnel has been a continuous constraint to the development of many high-tech fields, including artificial intelligence.。"

In this cooperation, activities such as artificial intelligence courses are aimed at improving the artificial intelligence quality of workers.。Microsoft Vice Chairman and President Brad Smith said: "By working directly with labor leaders, we can help ensure AI works for the nation's workers.。"This groundbreaking partnership respects the rights of workers, draws on the advice of labor leaders as we develop technology, and helps us equip people with skills that are critical in the new era of artificial intelligence."。"

Not only Microsoft, but Amazon, another tech giant in the AI race, also launched a free AI skills training program in November to address the shortage of AI talent.。According to Amazon's "AI Ready" plan, it will provide free AI skills training to 2 million people worldwide by 2025。Amazon is also offering eight free AI and generative AI courses and scholarships to more than 50,000 high school and college students.。In addition, Amazon is working with Code, a computer science education nonprofit..org collaboration to provide AI skills training。