WIREDGOV

TUC Cymru warmly welcomes First Minister Eluned Morgan’s announcement that, if re-elected, the Welsh Labour party will offer:  

• Cutting-edge AI and digital skills in every Welsh secondary school

• New AI centres of excellence with FE, HE, industry and unions – supporting a just transition for workers

• Building on the Workforce Partnership Council’s landmark tech agreement – shaping how AI enters the public sector

• A Public Sector AI Framework – designed with the Social Partnership Council, rooted in fairness

• And one simple rule: if your tech doesn’t meet Welsh standards, it doesn’t belong in Welsh public life

The First Minister’s announcement was made in Llandudno on 28 June.  It follows extensive campaigning and action from TUC Cymru and unions to ensure the Welsh government puts unions and workers at the heart of AI policy.  

Furthermore, the First Minister also announced that Wales will host a world-leading AI Growth Zone, which she described as “a place where fair work, cutting-edge technology, and ethical design come together.”

 Putting workers at the heart of AI

Shavanah Taj, TUC General Secretary said:  

“It’s good to see that workers and unions are at the heart of the Eluned Morgan’s plans for AI.  The new technology can bring many benefits but, in order that these are realised, and that workers and service users share them, the union voice is essential.  

“TUC Cymru has been calling for a worker-centric approach to AI, so we are delighted that the First Minister has confirmed that unions will play a key role in supporting the innovative use of AI.  

“We envisage the new AI centres of excellence as an opportunity to adapt AI tools so that they have public service ethos at their heart.  Many AI tools are designed by Big Tech simply to maximise profit and drive down working conditions.  We believe that we can do better in Wales and working together with experts, unions can help adapt AI so that it serves patients, pupils and those receiving care as well as creating better jobs.  Workers are the experts on the world of work and we look forward to contributing to the proposed centres of excellence.

 

“Wales is already leading the way with guidance on the use of AI in the public sector which promotes both new ways of working and workers rights.  We were pleased to play our part in producing this work and very pleased that this will form the bedrock of the Welsh government’s approach to AI in public services.”