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TUC Union Calls for Increased Protection for Workers in AI Technology

A trade union has cautioned that the UK is lagging behind in safeguarding employees from artificial intelligence (AI). The TUC declared that the UK had no strategies in the vein of the AI Act of the EU to control its employment in recruitment, dismissal, and the formation of working conditions. The union has requested an assignment force to establish legal shields. The government asserted its dedication to strengthening and preserving employee rights. The BBC has been informed by the leader of Octopus Energy that their customers would rather receive emails composed by Artificial Intelligence than those written by his employees. Executives in the business world are expressing their enthusiasm for the possibilities that AI might bring in terms of innovation, increased productivity, and upgraded customer service. Unions have expressed strong concern that UK job legislation is not keeping up with the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Mary Towers, the employment rights policy officer at the TUC, stated that AI is being utilized to make decisions of considerable importance and magnitude, such as who is employed, and the nature and location of the job. She noted that the UK was falling behind due to the absence of AI-specific legislation, pointing out that, for instance, the EU is in the process of passing an AI Act, whereas no such equivalent exists in this country. At Octopus Energy, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is utilized to read, interpret, and answer customer service issues. According to Chief Executive Greg Jackson, this implementation is taking the place of an estimated 250 more personnel. He mentioned that customers seemed to favor dealing with the AI over a human. He stated that the email written by their team had a customer satisfaction rating of 65%, whereas emails written by AI had a satisfaction rating of 80 or 85%. He went on to explain that utilizing AI enabled their team to better serve customers in a critical moment. He said that commanding an AI to compose an email is much more efficient than manually typing it out. We must exercise responsibility in carrying this out. Governments, economists, and businesses must work together to ensure the creation and preservation of jobs, rather than their substitution. The CEO of GSK, Emma Walmsley, said that AI has the potential to unlock huge advances in science and medicine due to its capability to rapidly analyse data and reveal trends. She declared to the BBC that its implementation could revolutionise the production of medications. She noted that biopharma is challenging and can take up to a decade, large amounts of capital, and generally has a very high failure rate of 90%. However, data is at the core of our operations. Artificial Intelligence is aiding us in rapidly discerning patterns within this data. She proclaimed that drug and vaccine discovery and development should be "more predictive and increase our likelihood of success". She declared that the potential result could be improved health for hundreds of millions of individuals. She noted that one out of every three people will be facing dementia, that many forms of cancer remain without remedies, and that infectious illness is responsible for one sixth of all deaths globally. She asserted that there was no question that AI would assist us in discovering superior answers to these predicaments, adding, "It's definitely worth investing in and being confident about, while also practicing conscientious regulation." Ms Walmsley believes that incorporating AI technology to enhance productivity will spawn more employment opportunities and "cause certain occupations to be transformed significantly". She indicated that there may be a need to reduce staff in some areas, while other roles may require a larger number of people. It is often perceived that AI will not be able to replicate human creativity very well, so the creative arts may be among the least affected areas. Actress and voice over artist Laurence Bouvard remarked that AI is being utilized to take samples, assess, and replicate human voices without compensating the original performer. "It's necessary to relinquish our rights in exchange for compensation when we take on a job," she remarked. "Still, these AI businesses are helpings themselves to our work without so much as inquiring who it belongs to." She stated that AI posed particularly dire consequences for the numerous lesser-known voice artists involved in cartoons, video games, dictionaries, and other audio works, indicating that their livelihood could be wrecked. "Even though a writer, artist, and photographer could have their work taken away, they can always create something new," she asserted. "If my vocal talent is taken away, or my profession comes to an end, then what?" The OECD suggested last week that the world is "on the brink of an AI revolution" which promises to alter many industries and workplaces. The Paris-based organization expressed that it is necessary to take decisive steps to make sure artificial intelligence is utilized safely and dependably in the workplace. Power brings with it great responsibility - yet it remains unclear who will take on that responsibility in the UK or internationally. A government spokesperson declared that AI is predicted to stimulate expansion and generate fresh, well-paid positions across the United Kingdom, while making it possible for us to perform our current jobs more effectively and securely. We are collaborating with businesses and regulators to guarantee that AI is employed securely and responsibly in commercial contexts.

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