AFT’s Weingarten on Sen. Schumer’s Bipartisan AI Framework

WASHINGTON—AFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement in support of Sen. Chuck Schumer’s (D-N.Y.) bipartisan AI framework, released today. Weingarten attended the AI Insight Forum in September that gave rise to the framework.

“In this moment of great precarity and polarization, it is heartening that Sen. Schumer has led the crafting of a bipartisan framework to guide Congress’ response to the next great industrial transition. We know that innovation needs to create possibility, not peril, and that is why guardrails that combat deepfakes, protect workers’ rights and involve workers in the process are critical.

“Just as safety protections drove the expansion of the airline industry, the same holds true for AI. AI is a game-changer, but Schumer understands that educators and other workers need to be coaches in the game. Legislation that enables innovation but also ensures security, privacy and economic safeguards—including dealing with worker displacement—should now be front of mind for lawmakers.

“This framework wisely considers the workforce impact of artificial intelligence and calls for transparency and explainability when AI is deployed. It lays the foundation for a bill to give workers a seat at the table and to push for good union jobs.

“Later this month, the AFT will publish our own report into the role of AI in the workplace and the economy, and we hope many of its recommendations, which complement and expand on the principles outlined today, will be considered as legislators craft their response.”