Artificial Intelligence At Work: Balancing Progress, Protection, And Privacy

Niveditha K, School of Legal Studies, CUSAT

Introduction:

In the dawn of the 21st century, we find ourselves on the cusp of a technological revolution that promises to reshape the very fabric of our society. At the forefront of this transformation stands Artificial Intelligence (AI), a force that is rapidly reshaping the landscape of modern work. As AI systems grow increasingly sophisticated, they are not merely automating routine tasks but are beginning to encroach upon domains long considered the exclusive province of human intellect and creativity. This seismic transformation in the world of work poses tremendous challenges to our existing labour laws and regulations, forcing us to reevaluate fundamental concepts of employment, workplace dynamics, and workers' rights.

The integration of AI into the workplace is moving at dizzying speed, outpacing our ability to fully appreciate the implications. From factories where robots work alongside humans to offices where AI algorithms make critical choices, the traditional lines between human and machine labour are dissolving. This technological leap ahead raises a slew of difficult legal and ethical issues that our current labour regulations, many of which were enacted during the industrial production era, are unprepared to face.

As we tackle AI's transformational impact on labour law, four important areas demand our attention. The threat of job displacement caused by AI-driven automation needs a revaluation of employment regulations, requiring us to strike a balance between technological advancement and workers' rights. The developing concept of AI as an employer creates significant issues with accountability and the application of labour standards to non-human entities in positions of authority. The integration of AI and robotics in the workplace raises new safety concerns, necessitating changes to our processes to safeguard worker well-being in human-robot collaboration situations. Finally, the tremendous ability of AI systems to collect and analyse employee data puts privacy and surveillance issues to the forefront, requiring a careful balance between productivity goals and workers' rights.