The removal of key AI guidelines threatens job quality and workers’ rights.
- The Trump administration swiftly repealed AI protections established under Biden.
- Experts warn AI-driven job degradation is a bigger threat than outright job loss.
- Major tech companies, including Meta and Google, backed Trump’s return to office.
AI Protections Repealed Overnight
The Trump administration has eliminated AI-related workplace protections put in place during Biden’s presidency, labor experts warn. These rules were designed to ensure AI implementation would not degrade job quality or violate workers’ rights. Without them, employees are left vulnerable to unchecked automation.
CEOs Push for AI-Driven Workforce
Top executives have been vocal about their vision for AI in the workplace. At Davos, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff predicted that today’s CEOs will be the last to manage an entirely human workforce. Meanwhile, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg suggested that AI could soon function as midlevel engineers, displacing skilled professionals.
The Threat of Job Degradation
David Madland, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, cautioned that without AI guardrails, workers will face worsening job conditions. “The Biden administration rules provided very modest protections, but they were better than nothing,” he said. AI is increasingly being used to manage workers in industries such as warehouse operations, rideshare driving, and healthcare, often leading to lower pay and harsher conditions.
Tech Giants and Trump’s AI Strategy
The Trump administration argues that removing these protections will boost AI innovation and maintain U.S. leadership in the field. Major tech firms, including Meta, Google, and Amazon, supported Trump’s re-election, with OpenAI’s Sam Altman personally donating $1 million. However, critics argue that the lack of AI oversight will primarily benefit corporations at the expense of workers.
A History of AI in the Workplace
AI-driven automation has been a concern for years. The Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA addressed these fears in their 2023 contracts, securing protections against AI replacing human creatives. Screenwriter John Rogers warned that AI represents a corporate dream of maximizing profits without workers. “Right now, there is no consequence for billion-dollar companies stealing people’s work,” he said.
Polling by Pew Research shows that 52% of U.S. workers are concerned about AI’s impact, with 32% fearing fewer job opportunities. As AI continues to expand, its effects on job security remain a growing concern. Also, how AI calls out LA Times bias.
