The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has called for “urgent” new legislation on AI to safeguard the rights of workers in the UK.

The organisation warned that AI is already leading to discrimination, unfairness and exploitation in the workplace as it is used to analyse facial expressions and assess candidates’ suitability for roles. It added that many employers are purchasing and using systems without being fully aware of the implications.

The federation for trade unions in England and Wales also announced the launch of an AI taskforce, designed to bring together employment lawyers, academics, technology specialists and politicians to bridge the gap in AI legislation at work.

The taskforce will be led by the TUC and an advisory committee including Tech UK, the British Computer Society and the Ada Lovelace institute.

Members of parliament David Davis, Darren Jones, Mick Whitley, and Chris Stephens will also sit on the committee.

The taskforce aims to publish an AI and Employment Bill early in 2024 and will lobby to have it incorporated into UK law.

TUC assistant general secretary, Kate Bell, said that new employment legislation is needed so that workers and employees know where they stand.

“AI is already making life-changing decisions about the way millions work – including how people are hired, performance-managed and fired,” she said. “But UK employment law is way behind the curve – leaving many workers vulnerable to exploitation and discrimination.”

She added: “Without proper regulation of AI, our labour market risks turning into a wild west. We all have a shared interest in getting this right.”

The move follows news that the UK government will hold a global AI summit in November looking at the safe development of AI.

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