Financial Services Union calls for trade union representation at AI summit in October

The Financial Services Union have called on the Government to ensure there is trade union representatives invited to contribute at the AI Summit in October.

The Government is hosting an AI summit in October as part of the Governments Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Commenting John O’Connell, General Secretary of the FSU said:

“Another day and another announcement from Government of leading figures in the tech world who will be attending the AI summit in October.

According to the Minister with responsibility for AI, Naimh Smith TD,  members of Government, Industry and research will be participating on panels and discussing the future of AI in the workplace.

It is really disappointing the voice of employees is not deemed to be sufficiently important to be invited to participate. The employees who will be directly affected by the effects of AI, whose jobs are under threat and who industry is failing to upskill should be at the core of any decision making on AI.

The FSU is a member of EU sectoral social dialogue in the banking sector where union and banking representatives agreed a set of principles relating to AI. FSU has also negotiated with Bank of Ireland an AI agreement to manage how AI impacts the workplace the change.

The FSU in collaboration with TASC have produced research which outlines the challenges and opportunities that AI can bring to the workplace if it is managed in a transparent and collaborative manner. Industry alone cannot be responsible for regulating the introduction of AI. Employee’s need a strong voice at the table. The Minister should immediately expand the invitation to trade unions to attend and participate fully in the AI summit in October.”

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