Department of Labor releases AI Best Practices roadmap for developers, employers, building on AI principles for worker well-being

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the release of comprehensive Artificial Intelligence Best Practices designed to ensure that emerging technologies such as AI enhance job quality and benefit workers when they are used in the workplace.

The department’s AI Best Practices provide developers and employers with a detailed roadmap to implement the department’s AI and Worker Well-being: Principles for Developers and Employers, which were released under President Biden’s Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence. These guidelines further the department’s commitment to centering worker empowerment and well-being, particularly workers in underserved communities, as AI systems are increasingly used in the workplace.

“We have a shared responsibility to ensure that AI is used to expand equality, advance equity, develop opportunity and improve job quality,” said Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su. “These Best Practices provide a roadmap for responsible AI in the workplace, helping businesses harness these technologies while proactively supporting and valuing their workers. As we embrace the opportunities that AI can offer, we must ensure workers are lifted up, not left behind.”

The Best Practices provide strategies for how AI can benefit workers and businesses, while maintaining a focus on workers’ rights, job quality, well-being, privacy and economic security. These approaches include: 

• Ethically developing AI standards, review processes and establishing governance structures. 
• Ensuring meaningful human oversight for significant employment decisions.
• Being transparent with workers about the use of AI and identifying how AI can assist workers.
• Centering workers and their input on the use of AI in the workplace.
• Protecting workers’ labor and employment rights.
• Providing AI training for workers. 
• Securing and protecting worker data.

As part of its commitment to responsible AI, the Department of Labor is aligning its own operations with these AI Principles and Best Practices. The department will continue to engage with companies, unions, workers, and other stakeholders to protect and empower workers when AI is used in the workplace. 

Editor’s Note: Register to join the live virtual event on Oct. 16 at 3:30 p.m. EDT.

Learn more about the department’s AI Principles and Best Practices.