A seminar on “Digital transition, opportunities and risks for workers” was held in Rennes, France from 14-17 November 2023, organised by the CFTC (French Confederation of Christian Workers), in cooperation with EZA and funded by the European Union. 21 representatives of workers' organisations from Bulgaria, France, Moldova, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Serbia attended the seminar.
The seminar was hosted by Joseph Thouvenel, the Confederal Secretary of the CFTC. The seminar was kicked off by Mr. Philippe Jacq, President of the CFTC in Paris.
Introduction
We cannot deny that the digital transition has an extremely strong impact on our lives (both in our private and working life). We need to adapt very quickly and even anticipate developments, which we are neglecting to do today. We as social partners must work together to alert our respective leaders to ensure employment for all. However, it is clear that jobs will be created and others will be lost, but nobody must be left behind. We are not in transition, but are undergoing a transformation which represents real change which is linked to the rise of one tool and one tool alone: digital technology. The machine must remain in its place and not overtake humans; we believe this is what is at stake in this digital revolution.
Results of the seminar
Artificial “intelligence” is a misnomer, even dangerous. The machine does not bring together all the faculties that comprise human intelligence, such as relational intelligence or intelligence in terms of feelings. AI has no physical, spatial, interpersonal, cognitive, emotional, etc. intelligence; the machine does not think, but only reproduces the data that humans have chosen to input into the program. Algorithms are the exclusive work of humans. Humans create the tool which we should control, because it must remain at the service of humans.
According to Jean Piaget: “Intelligence is what you use when you don't know what to do.” The machine cannot be intelligent to the extent that it is incapable of providing information that is alien to its programming.
Artificial intelligence arises from humans who create algorithms by voluntarily or involuntarily introducing biases. We must be careful about how these tools are used in the world of work, as they could turn the worker into a tool serving the machine. We risk creating a binary world in which sensitivity, imagination, emotions, the very essence of humanity, could disappear,
However, several surveys have revealed that, in the work sphere, most business leaders and employees say they are fairly comfortable about using IT. Indeed, they are optimistic about the repercussions AI may have on their own future and the potential consequences on their business. But some of the least qualified employees (manual workers) have come to realise that the machine may replace them in the long term; hence the legitimate concern. Other highly qualified employees, e.g. legal professionals, are also increasingly worried about moves to replace their jobs with machines “capable” of meting out justice!
In terms of employment more generally, 56% of business leaders in France have a positive vision of digital employment in the future, whereas 54% of employees have a negative view. In fact, 1 in 3 employees say they feel the effects of digital technology in their job in the form of heavier workloads, intellectual and psychological pressure and greater stress.
Decisions
It is inevitable that organisations will be transformed. Where are we heading? What kind of company, what kind of corporate culture will arise from this omnipresent digital technology? These are the big questions to which we have an initial response: we, and we alone, must decide how to use this technology, because nothing will ever replace the human brain. IT requires some serious consideration. Firstly, we must ascertain the impacts of digital technology, which is not neutral either in its uses or design. What about ethical software? We too must decide to undergo a digital transformation, and not wait, but move forward with moderation and caution. Select trusted entities to host data. Involve company employees. Accept the reality that jobs are changing and adapt without enslaving the worker. The aim of digital technology must be to free up our time. We must protect the company, because opening up to technology poses many threats and risks. We must implement effective security measures to protect personal data. Security and data protection are fundamental when faced with the recurring and exponential number of cyber attacks.
We must value the human amongst this upheaval, because to value human beings is to make them more efficient. We must also have confidence in youth, initiatives and creativity and helping people to grow, because the development of the company depends on the development of its employees.
The European Economic and Social Council spoke about the consequences of the new organisations on working conditions last year and issued two fundamental statements. The first on digital rights and principles. If the digital transition brings with it various economic, social and environmental benefits, it must do so in a way that respects fundamental rights and is inclusive. The challenge is to avoid the digital divide (access to new technologies for an ageing and rural population). The second statement is the interest regarding the single European market. Data sovereignty and the route to a fair digital transition for all citizens. The European social partners signed a framework agreement on digitalisation on 22 June 2020 which must be implemented at the level of each European country. On the one hand, the agreement covers the terms of connection or disconnection, but does not establish a right to disconnect. This right must be negotiated, as it is an essential and critical condition to enable humans to be liberated from time. And, on the other, humans must keep AI under control.
Consequences
The digital transition is not bad per se; it is a tool that can be very effective and provide a great service, but which can also be highly destructive. We must therefore avoid becoming a slave to this tool, which must remain at the service of integral human development.
When it comes to digital technology, we tend to lose sight of the fact that it is a mere tool (i.e. the extension of human capabilities) and, in some cases, it is now hampering rather than liberating us. Are we not creating an extremely fragile world? According to the European Economic and Social Committee, digital technology has created significant opportunities, whilst also posing a number of serious threats to humanity. The new tools must therefore not be oppressive to preserve this and the social fabric, and these systems must be controlled in a democratic way. The European Economic and Social Committee is thus fundamentally opposed to the establishment of a system that would subject European citizens to surveillance, track them and monitor their activities and behaviour. The EESC also objects to all private facial recognition databases. The impact of digitalisation and the automation of human interactions on the quality of life and working conditions is considerable, particularly in terms of human relations with the increasing prevalence of loneliness and mental health issues. We are facing an increased risk of social alienation. It s the responsibility of us all to remain vigilant, to make the process of this obligatory digital journey secure and to create periods of time without technology.
Do we want a materialistic society where material success is what counts and human success, with all its complexity and sensitivity, is viewed as much less important?