BILL: Should We Limit AI in the Work Environment? - The No Robot Bosses Act - S.2419
Tell your reps to support or oppose this bill
The Bill
S.2419 - A bill to prohibit specific uses of automated decision systems by employers, and for other purposes
Bill Details
- Sponsored by Sen. Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-Pa.) - Introduced July 20, 2023
- Committee: Senate - Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
- House: Not yet voted
- Senate: Not yet voted
- President: Not yet signed
Bill Overview
- Targets artificial intelligence by protecting workers from "robot bosses." It would prevent employers from relying solely on automated systems like algorithms and machine learning tools in making hiring decisions.
- Compels employers to maintain human oversight over any decisions made by AI in the workplace.
- The legislation responds to increasing reports of workers being fired and discriminated against by automated decision systems during the hiring process.
- The bill is cosponsored by Sens. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and supported by the AFL-CIO, the Communications Workers of America, the National Employment Law Project, and the Economic Policy Institute.
- It would require employers to train their employees on how to use AI systems, and assess the need for an AI governance framework, taking into account considerations related to algorithmic discrimination and biases, data privacy, and transparency.
- Requires timely disclosures from employers on the use of automated decision systems and the inputs and outputs of these systems.
What's in the Bill?
Regulates AI hiring processes
- Prevents AI systems from unanimously making hiring decisions, like scanning resumes for employment gaps or keywords. The bill requires human collaboration in the hiring process.
Maintains human oversight over employment decisions
- Puts AI decision-making on shifts, and performance reviews would need to be overseen by a human manager.
- The bill states:
"Systems and software, not humans, are increasingly making decisions on whom to interview for a job, where and when employees should work, and who gets promoted, disciplined, or even fired from their job."
- Workers could not be fired merely due to AI decision-making.
Establishes a regulatory agency
- The bill would establish a regulatory agency at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) called the "Technology and Worker Protection Division."
What Supporters are Saying
"Maybe you're a delivery driver and your employer's tracking algorithm determines you're not performing up to its standards — and then sends you an email to let you know you've been fired without any warning or opportunity to speak to a human being," the summary continues. "In 2023, these scenarios are no longer just imaginary. … Without oversight and safeguards, these 'robot bosses' increase the risks of discrimination, unfair disciplinary actions, and dangerous working conditions."
- Sen. Casey said:
"Right now, there is nothing stopping a corporation from using artificial intelligence to hire, manage, or even fire workers without the involvement of a human being. As robot bosses become more prevalent in the workplace, we have an obligation to protect working families from the dangers of employers misusing and abusing these novel technologies."
Tell your reps to support or oppose this bill
—Emma Kansiz
(Photo Credit: Canva)
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I could see them replacing management. 90% of failed businesses are directly do to management poor decisions!
What's the matter with Kansans? Sound like a book I read!
Congress will go where the money lies. And it isn't with working class people. It will be with big industry and the philanthropists. We elected them, and major money rules them.
I am a bit concerned about going into too much studying AI because I fear we may have a real Matrix. I don't mean to use the cheesy movie title. I do fear if we try to give AI too much knowledge and trying to give them the power to think and feel like us, that may be our downfall.
This bill is a good start. We just need to enhance it as we go forward in the world of employment. All AI does is damage the human work force for no other reason but to increase profits and to hell with the rest of us.
I'm glad I'm retired.
NO ROBOT BOSSES FROM ME!
Human oversight is needed. AI should just be used as a tool, not relied on to take over all aspects of our lives. Put appropriate limits on this technology before it takes over us.
Both NJ and NY currently have legislation in process to set rules for use like requiring a bias audit in order to use the tool.
Prefer looking at rules for use instead of outright bans of AI in the employment process which is a step in the right direction, however automation of employment processes have existed long before AI and are used for more than just decisions. Selecting resumes to review is often automated to search for specific keywords.
I have techie friends that list keywords in margins in white type so they aren't visible to human eyes but optical readers can read and do select them.
Peopke not taking these steps may not have their resumes even selected to interview.
"In the New Jersey General Assembly, A4909 (“A4909”) was introduced on December 5, 2022, proposing a host of legal requirements that would apply to automated employment decision tools. On January 9, 2023, New York State introduced State Assembly Bill A00567 (“A00567”), modeled after New York City’s recently passed Automated Employment Decision Tool Law, set to go into effect on April 15, 2023. If enacted, the New York State Law would prohibit the use of certain automated employment decision tools unless employers take affirmative steps to screen the technology, including running a bias audit. (Preliminary indications from the rulemaking process suggest that Rules issued under the New York City law may substantially limit its impact by narrowly defining which tools are covered.)"
https://www.lawandtheworkplace.com/2023/02/new-jersey-and-new-york-introduce-bills-to-regulate-sale-and-use-of-automated-employment-decision-tools/
Ban AI Bosses? Offhand, no.
I have no idea how soon we could have effective AI Managers but I believe it's worth exploring.
If the basis of a Boss AI is training in modern managerial methodology from respected MBA programs plus training with people who had such training and applied it, then I'd be curious to experience such a "manager" (if I wasn't officially retired),
Over the years I've had maybe three supervisors I respected. Other managers had training and an MBA but still acted like characters out of a Dickens novel. I've had colleagues with the worst possible supervisors. The kind that trash people in public and are constantly disrespectful & demeaning. Hell, when I first started working I had a supervisor try to seduce me, and when that didn't work, she tried extortion. When that didn't work she got me fired but her boss set things up so I did get unemployment. I wonder what became of that sleezeball. Fortunately, in my next job, my supervisor was a true mentor and helped me get promotions.
I'd be very inclined to be supervised by an AI.