UCU: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Datafication

Motion

Motion text: Congress notes:
1. Increased technology use in post-16 education during the pandemic, and therefore in the amount of data our employers hold on members.
2. Data Protection Impact Assessments should be carried out when implementing new systems using workers’ personal data, but unions are not consulted about them.
3. The TUC working group on AI, which produced the Reps’ Guide on AI.
Congress believes AI can be useful but mustn’t infringe on workers’ rights or discriminate against individuals and must be fully accessible and user friendly.
Congress resolves to:
a. Set up an expert group on AI and datafication bringing together UCU members in the field to identify threats and opportunities and make recommendations on UCU AI policy.
b. Include an element in the national claims on agreeing an ethical AI policy with employers which establishes a consistent approach across the sectors.
c. Establish the role of a Data Rep in each branch.