Business, Labor, and Privacy Issues at AI ‘Crossroads’

Massachusetts business and technology leaders convened on August 27 to discuss strategies to enhance the state's competitive edge in artificial intelligence and address emerging skills gaps. The House chair of the advanced information and technology committee urged industry players to prioritize privacy protections.

A report from the Massachusetts High Technology Council and the Boston Consulting Group highlighted that over half of the core skills in the top 15 job types could face moderate-to-high disruption from AI. The most significant impacts are expected in structured jobs with repetitive routines, such as office clerks and accountants, where 40-50% of core skills are at risk due to AI automating tasks like scheduling and recordkeeping.

Employers are increasingly recruiting workers for 'bilingual roles' involving AI fluency in areas like AI models and AI-based automation. However, the report indicates Massachusetts has a 'retention problem,' with only 40% of AI-trained graduates staying in the state.

The report recommends investing in the talent pipeline from K-12 education to mid-career reskilling, strengthening shared AI infrastructure, and competing for federal AI funding. The Massachusetts AI Hub has been active in training teachers, educating high school students in Python, and awarding grants in sectors like healthcare and manufacturing.

The Massachusetts AFL-CIO is advocating for proposals to implement AI safeguards for workers. The bills aim to restrict employee data surveillance and prevent employers from relying solely on automated decision systems for employment decisions.