In a pivotal moment for the intersection of technology and labor, Pope Leo XIV has issued his inaugural encyclical titled "Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence." This encyclical arrives at a critical juncture, emphasizing the need for workers to actively participate in shaping the evolving world of work. This message builds upon the foundation laid by Pope Leo XIII in his renowned 1891 encyclical, "Rerum Novarum," which focused on advocating for labor rights and unions.
Historically, "Rerum Novarum" served as a cornerstone for progressive labor legislation, influencing significant policies like the National Labor Relations Act of 1935. This legislation contributed to a surge in union membership, which rose from less than 10% of the workforce to about a third within a decade.
Today, as artificial intelligence increasingly permeates workplaces, U.S. workers find themselves again in need of amplified representation. Currently, union membership stands at approximately 10%, leaving critical decisions regarding AI development and the future of employment largely outside workers' influence, affecting both unionized and non-unionized labor.
The conversation about the role of AI in the workplace extends beyond the Vatican. A panel from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, featuring prominent figures like MIT economist David Autor, has raised alarms about the potential for a divide where a select group of AI developers reap significant rewards while workers face unemployment. This outcome is a scenario society must strive to prevent.
The question arises: how can we effectively give workers a voice in the conversation around AI? How can we guarantee that they partake in the economic advantages that their contributions to AI yield? Through extensive collaboration with unions, companies, and various stakeholders in the realm of generative AI, we have identified effective strategies to ensure workers have a seat at the decision-making table.
A key first step involves challenging the motives behind AI deployment within organizations. Many developers pursue artificial general intelligence to replace human jobs, posing a significant threat to employment opportunities both now and in the future. Empowering workers to voice their concerns can reshape the objective of AI toward enhancing human capabilities and improving job quality and productivity.
There are already promising collaborations emerging along this path. Organizations like the AFL-CIO, alongside unions representing educators, communication professionals, and construction workers, have begun partnerships with major AI firms such as Microsoft and OpenAI. Their focus is on developing AI tools that enhance job quality and worker services. For instance, food and beverage personnel at Fenway Park, represented by UNITE HERE, successfully negotiated with Aramark to secure advance notice and consultation regarding the introduction of automated beer vendors. This agreement also includes job security, sensible staffing practices, and equitable compensation for workers whose roles may be impacted by automation. As a mediator in these discussions, I witnessed how proactive dialogues can lead to meaningful agreements. Recently, a team from MIT collaborated with Kaiser Permanente and the Alliance of Health Care Unions to establish a task force consisting of executives and union representatives. This group is dedicated to exploring AI's applications in ways that benefit frontline workers, allowing them to contribute ideas that can enhance their roles and services.
Research suggests that when workers and technology developers collaborate, the results often lead to increased productivity and greater job satisfaction compared to outcomes achieved by designers alone. Workers hold invaluable insights into how their tasks are performed, insights that are often overlooked by AI developers.
Pope Leo XIV's message calls us to utilize AI in service to humanity, ensuring respect for the dignity and rights of workers. This respect encompasses equitable sharing of the economic advantages yielded by new technologies, solid job security, and the establishment of fair wage norms. To achieve this, we must construct a contemporary social contract that addresses the current disconnect in labor relations.
Post-World War II America witnessed the United Auto Workers and General Motors create the Treaty of Detroit, which linked future wage increases to cost-of-living adjustments and national productivity growth. This agreement laid the groundwork for a thriving middle class for decades to come.
In honoring Pope Leo’s vision, we have the opportunity to shift AI development towards equitable outcomes while establishing new wage standards, ultimately crafting a social contract that resonates with today’s workforce dynamics.
Thomas A. Kochan serves as the George M. Bunker Professor Emeritus at the MIT Sloan School of Management and is affiliated with the MIT Institute for Work and Employment Research. He is also the author of the soon-to-be-released book "Roads Not Taken: Lessons for Building a New Social Contract at Work."
