EU Parliament plans AI and workplace initiative for next year
The European Parliament will begin negotiations on an own-initiative legislative proposal to tackle issues around artificial intelligence and the workplace in the first quarter of this year, with the aim to adopt a report in early 2026, sources from within the institution told Euronews.
Last year, the bloc's AI Act – stringent rules which regulate AI systems according to the risk they pose to society – entered into force, and the Parliament has been vocal about the need for additional rules to cover workplace changes arising as a result of AI technology.
Lawmaker Brando Benifei (Italy/S&D), the MEP in charge of determining the Parliament's position on the AI Act, repeatedly sai d that possible AI and workplace rules could cover issues such as obligations to involve social partners in bargaining, as well as safety and training elements.
The AI Act already bans specific practices to protect workers, such as social scoring or real-time remote biometric identification. In addition, the EU institutions reached an agreement on platform work last year, with the aim to protect and improve the working conditions of people working in the gig economy.
Possible legislation
The issue was flagged in the mission letter of Roxana Mînzatu, the EU Commissioner in charge of Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness.
'I would also like you to focus on the impact of digitalisation in the world of work. This should notably be done through an initiative on algorithmic management and through possible legislation on AI in the workplace, following consultation with social partners. You will also propose to introduce a right to disconnect,' the mission letter, drafted by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, said.
The European Commission did not comment on when such a proposal could be presented.
A survey published on Thursday by the EU executive found that most Europeans support the use of AI in the workplace.
More than 60% of Europeans view robots and AI in the workplace positively and more than 70% believe that they improve productivity, the survey suggested.
'While a majority supports the use of robots and AI to make decisions at work, 84% of Europeans believe that AI needs to be carefully managed to protect privacy and ensure transparency in the workplace,' it said.
'Artificial intelligence is now an integral part of modern workplaces. We need to use it in a way that supports and protects workers. We have a solid foundation of rules, with our General Data Protection Regulation, the AI Act and the Platform Work Directive. We will review how these rules are applied to address the impact of AI across the labour market,' Mînzatu said.
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