Jessica O'ConnorTUC Cymru has welcomed First Minister Eluned Morgan’s announcement that a re-elected Welsh Labour Government will place workers and unions at the centre of its artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology strategy.
The First Minister made the pledge during her speech at the Welsh Labour Conference in Llandudno on 28th June, outlining a future where AI is developed and deployed with fairness and public service values at its core.
Key proposals include ensuring that every secondary school in Wales offers cutting-edge AI and digital skills, the creation of AI centres of excellence that bring together further and higher education, industry, and trade unions, and building on the Workforce Partnership Council’s landmark agreement on tech in the workplace.
A Public Sector AI Framework, developed with the Social Partnership Council and rooted in fairness, will underpin these commitments.
A cornerstone of the approach is a clear message from the First Minister: “If your tech doesn’t meet Welsh standards, it doesn’t belong in Welsh public life.”
The First Minister also announced that Wales will host a new AI Growth Zone, described as “a place where fair work, cutting-edge technology, and ethical design come together.”
TUC Cymru general secretary, Shavanah Tajm said: “It’s good to see that workers and unions are at the heart of the Eluned Morgan’s plans for AI.
“The new technology can bring many benefits but, in order that these are realised, and that workers and service users share them, the union voice is essential.
“TUC Cymru has been calling for a worker-centric approach to AI, so we are delighted that the First Minister has confirmed that unions will play a key role in supporting the innovative use of AI.”
She added: “We envisage the new AI centres of excellence as an opportunity to adapt AI tools so that they have public service ethos at their heart. Many AI tools are designed by Big Tech simply to maximise profit and drive down working conditions.
“We believe that we can do better in Wales and working together with experts, unions can help adapt AI so that it serves patients, pupils and those receiving care as well as creating better jobs. Workers are the experts on the world of work and we look forward to contributing to the proposed centres of excellence.
“Wales is already leading the way with guidance on the use of AI in the public sector which promotes both new ways of working and workers rights. We were pleased to play our part in producing this work and very pleased that this will form the bedrock of the Welsh government’s approach to AI in public services.”
