A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE PROTECTION OF WORKERS’ RIGHTS IN THE AGE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Abstract

The creation and destruction of jobs at a rapid pace is part of the productivity growth generated by technology development and particularly with the Artificial Intelligence (AI). Artificial Intelligence has an even bigger impact on work in white-collar occupations. Also, many people have already become accustomed to effective artificial intelligence services at home, at school and also expect to have them in their workplaces to support their work. The purpose of this work is to critically analyse the rights of workers in the age of Artificial Intelligence particularly on the strengths and weaknesses of the legal structures upon which the rights of workers are founded, recognized, protected and enforced; to analyze and assess the existing legal framework surrounding workers' rights and its adequacy in addressing the emerging challenges posed by AI integration in the workplace. Doctrinal methodology and analytical approach were employed in this study. The data for this research were sourced from textbooks, journal articles, unpublished works, case laws, statutes, newspapers, magazines and internet. On the findings of this research, it was discovered that the labour and employment laws did not sufficiently protect for workers rights in the age of AI. Therefore, it is recommended that there is a need for the amendment of the existing labour laws, establishing new guidelines for responsible AI deployment, and implementing accountability mechanisms for any violation on workers' rights. Also, the creation of awareness through enlightenment campaigns on worker’s rights, its infringement, enforcement and remedies in AI driven workplaces.