Legislative and labor push against artificial intelligence is looming

In the 2025 book “If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies,” the authors confidently predict how superhuman artificial intelligence (AI) will lead to the annihilation of humanity. The book isn’t fiction. Existential threat or not, AI is here and growing all around us, including, increasingly, in the workplace. Its prevalence raises significant issues for unionized employers, such as whether and how AI may trigger mandatory bargaining regarding its use.

Not surprisingly, legislatures are also beginning to assess AI’s current and future impact on employees and the workplace, union and nonunion. While legislation is currently being considered in Minnesota, it seems unlikely to reach the necessary bipartisan support to pass this session. Employers would still be wise to monitor the bills and watch for new AI obligations and restrictions in the not-so-distant future.

Unions and AI

Employers in unionized settings are already seeing an increase in proposals from unions looking to rein in AI and eliminate, or at least limit, its impact on workers. Recent examples of union successes include a new provision in an International Longshoreman’s Association contract that prohibits all fully automated technology and a Las Vegas Culinary Workers Union agreement that contractually obligates covered employers to bargain over any decision to implement AI in the workplace.