Big Tech has transformed how we work, learn and communicate. But too often, technology companies develop powerful new products behind closed doors, collect our data, write their own rules, and leave workers, families and our communities to deal with the consequences.
Whether artificial intelligence is being introduced in our workplaces or social media platforms are targeting our children, the principle is the same: Technology should work for people, not profits.
Artificial Intelligence
Protect workers. Keep people in control.
Artificial intelligence is already changing our schools, hospitals, colleges and public services. The question is not whether AI will shape our future; the question is who gets to shape AI.
The AFT is fighting for a people-first approach that keeps workers at the table; protects students, patients, workers and communities; and harnesses the benefits of AI, while mitigating the harms, to strengthen public services instead of eliminating jobs or replacing human judgment.
AI must support workers, not replace us.
AI can be a tool to help workers, but it must not be used to eliminate jobs, cut staffing, outsource public work or weaken professional skills and judgment.
People must remain the decision-makers when using AI.
Decisions about students, patients, workers, families and public benefits should be made by qualified people, not algorithms. Hiring, evaluation, discipline and firing decisions must remain in human hands.
AI must protect privacy, intellectual property and civil rights.
Before personal information is exposed, companies should disclose what data their systems collect, how that data is used, who can access it and whether it is used to train commercial products . AI should not be used for intrusive surveillance or trained on the work of educators, writers, researchers and artists without their consent and fair compensation.
We must have informed consent before personal data is shared.
Workers and their unions must have a voice.
Workers must have the right to bargain over AI before systems are purchased and throughout their use. AI systems should be independently and routinely tested for bias, errors and harm, with results and audits shared with workers and their unions.
Workers should never be held responsible for errors made by systems they did not design or control, and they deserve ongoing, paid training and strong job protections to use these tools confidently.
AI must expand access, not widen gaps.
Every worker and community deserves equitable access to AI tools, reliable internet and the training to use them well. That means ongoing AI and digital literacy education to teach people to recognize and engage with bias, misinformation and manipulated content, not just how to operate new software.
AI is already being used across government, education, healthcare and other public services. Without strong safeguards, it can threaten jobs, working conditions and the quality of the services our communities depend on.
Innovation should make people’s lives better. It should not hand more power to corporations accountable only to their shareholders and profits.
Social Media
Protect kids. Hold Big Tech accountable.
The same companies demanding free rein over AI have already shown us what happens when Big Tech is allowed to write its own rules.
Along with the AFT, the U.S. surgeon general, the American Psychological Association and parents have sounded the alarm about the toll social media can take on young people’s mental health. Yet children continue to face addictive design, harmful content, invasive data collection and risky algorithms while companies profit from keeping them online.
Social media companies must put children’s safety first.
Platforms should be designed around children’s health and well-being instead of to maximize engagement and profit.
Social media companies must protect children from addictive design and invasive data collection.
Companies must stop using manipulative features to keep children online and give families meaningful tools to limit use. Children’s personal information should not be harvested, sold or used to target them.
Social media companies must be transparent and accountable.
Platforms must explain how their algorithms work, respond when harmful content is reported and work directly with schools and families to make their products safer.
Parents, educators and young people have demanded these commonsense protections for years. Big Tech has had more than enough time to act.
Our children’s well-being should not be the cost of Big Tech’s profits.
Take Action
Sign the Petition: Tell Social Media Companies to Protect Children's Health, Safety and Privacy
The Bottom Line
Technology can help educators teach, healthcare professionals care for patients and public employees serve their communities, but only when people have the power to set the rules.
Workers must have a seat at the table; humans must remain in control; children and communities must be protected; and Big Tech must be accountable to the people, not just their shareholders.