The Role of Unions in an Agentic AI World

The upcoming rise of Agentic AI – AI that operates more like an independent worker than a traditional tool will fundamentally transform the landscape of work. This evolution prompts an important question: what role do unions play in a world where AI acts as a virtual employee?

What Is It?

Agentic AI refers to advanced artificial intelligence systems that can make decisions, adapt to new situations, and collaborate with human employees. Unlike basic automation that follows pre-set instructions, Agentic AI is capable of responding to complex scenarios, and functioning as an active participant in business processes. Imagine having a virtual colleague that doesn’t just complete tasks but also adapts, problem-solves, and interacts.

But why should unions be part of this conversation? Mulling this over – the introduction of AI as a workforce participant creates new challenges around job security, fairness, and the rights of human workers. If AI is stepping into roles traditionally held by people, unions have a critical role to play in ensuring that this shift supports, rather than undermines, the human workforce.

What Does It Mean from a Business Perspective?

From the perspective of both unions and business leaders, the presence of Agentic AI in the workplace calls for a thoughtful balance between innovation and worker rights.

For Unions: Unions must adapt to advocate for the interests of workers in an environment where AI is performing tasks that were once human-led. This could mean negotiating for job protection measures, such as mandatory upskilling programs to help employees transition into new roles as AI reshapes job functions. Unions can also push for clear guidelines on how and when AI can make autonomous decisions, ensuring that it complements human work rather than replaces it without oversight.

For Business Leaders: Business leaders will need to rethink workforce strategies to integrate AI effectively while maintaining trust and morale. This means collaborating with unions to set ethical boundaries and governance for AI agents. Business leaders should also be transparent about how AI impacts job roles and consider how the distribution of benefits derived from AI efficiency gains happens.

Both parties should focus on setting shared standards for AI ethics and performance.

What Do I Do with It?

Both unions and business leaders need to take proactive steps to understand the complexities of an AI-integrated workforce. Here’s a start:

For Unions:

Educate Leadership on AI: Education is always the place to start – ensure Union leaders understand Agentic AI and its implications. This empowers them to engage in informed negotiations and advocacy.
Joint AI Impact Assessments: Advocate for collective assessments on how AI integration impacts workers, ensuring transparency and fairness.
AI-Related Contract Terms: Negotiate the inclusion of AI-related clauses that cover areas such as human oversight responsibilities and job transition support.

For Business Leaders:

Collaborate with Unions on AI Policies: Work together to create guidelines for how AI is deployed, ensuring a fair and ethical approach.
Communicate Transparently: Keep employees informed about AI adoption plans and their potential impacts on job roles.
Invest in Workforce Development: Support upskilling initiatives to help employees adapt and thrive alongside AI.

The role of unions in an Agentic AI world is more important than ever. By working collaboratively with business leaders, unions can help create an environment where human and AI collaboration benefits everyone. For business leaders, integrating AI thoughtfully and ethically is key to long-term success. The goal remains the same: to ensure that AI becomes a tool that supports, humans in the workplace.

What Is It?

What Does It Mean from a Business Perspective?

What Do I Do with It?

For Unions:

For Business Leaders:

Further Reading