Should Workers Have a Say in AI at Work?

In Washington state, a big question is being asked: Should workers have a say in how AI is used in their jobs? Some lawmakers think they should. They want to make sure that when the government uses AI, it talks to the workers first. This is not a new idea, but it's getting more attention as AI becomes more common. Right now, there's a law that says workers can talk about things like pay and working conditions. But when it comes to AI, they often don't get a say until after the technology is already being used. Some people think this is not fair. They say workers should have a voice before AI is introduced, not after. But not everyone agrees. Some business groups and city officials say this could slow down progress. They worry that too much negotiation could hold back new ideas and improvements. They also think it could give workers too much power compared to managers. Washington is not the only place where this is happening. In Maryland, AI is being used to help people apply for things like food aid and Medicaid. And in Washington, the government has said it wants to use AI in a way that is fair and good for workers. Some workers are worried about AI. They think it might take their jobs or change their work in ways they don't like. A survey showed that more than half of workers are worried about AI. And about one-third think it will lead to fewer jobs. There's also a bigger debate happening. Some people think the federal government should make rules about AI, while others think states should. President Donald Trump has even talked about suing states that make their own AI rules. But it's not clear if this would include laws like the one in Washington. In the end, this is a big discussion with no easy answers. But one thing is clear: AI is changing the workplace, and everyone wants to make sure it's done in a way that is fair and good for workers.