As artificial intelligence (AI) keeps taking on more jobs, the TUC has called for the government to safeguard our working futures.
Artificial intelligence, or AI, is moving into our workplaces faster than most of us expected. It’s already being used to sort job applications, track deliveries, and even monitor how fast people work. But a new poll shows that over half of us are worried AI could mean fewer jobs or worse conditions.
The survey, commissioned by the Trades Union Congress (TUC), asked 2,600 people across the UK what they thought about AI. Slightly more than half said they were concerned about the impact on their work. Among younger workers, aged 25 to 34, that number was even higher. And it didn’t matter whether people voted Labour, Conservative, or Reform — most agreed they were uneasy about the changes.
So why the fear? For many of us, jobs already feel insecure. Childcare, housing, and energy bills take up more of our wages, and the last thing we need is machines cutting shifts or replacing us altogether.
What the TUC Says
The TUC, which speaks up for workers and unions, says the government needs to change its approach to AI. Right now, big tech companies and bosses have the loudest voices. The TUC wants ordinary workers to have more say.
Here are some of their key demands:
- Workers should be involved in decisions about how AI is used in the workplace.
- Public money for AI should come with strings attached, making sure it helps staff, not just shareholders.
- If AI helps companies make more money, staff should see some of that through better pay or shorter hours.
- Training and support so that if our jobs change, we can reskill without losing our income.
Why It Matters for Our Pockets
For Quids In! readers, this is about more than technology. It’s about whether we can hold on to steady jobs and fair wages. If AI is used fairly, it could help cut down boring tasks, boost pay, and give us more time for family. But if it’s only used to cut costs, it could mean job losses, pay freezes, or tougher working conditions.
Reskilling matters too. Many of us worry about being left behind if our jobs change. The TUC’s plan would mean free or affordable training so we can move into new roles without starting from scratch.
Image: ChatGPT/Steve Faragher
