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State Sen. Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton) announced the “No Robo Bosses Act” in Sacramento last week.
The first-of-its-kind bill aims to ensure human oversight of artificial intelligence in workplace decisions, according to a March 6 press release from McNerney’s office.
Senate Bill 7 would prevent California employers from relying solely on AI, also known as automated decision-making systems (ADS), for hiring, promotions, discipline, or termination, the senator’s office said.
It would also reportedly ban AI systems from using personal data to predict a worker’s future behavior.
“Businesses are increasingly using AI to boost efficiency and productivity in the workplace. But there are currently no safeguards to prevent machines from unjustly or illegally impacting workers’ livelihoods and working conditions,” McNerney said.
The bill is sponsored by the California Federation of Labor Unions, AFL-CIO.
“No worker should have to answer to a robot boss when they are fearful of getting injured on the job, or when they have to go to the bathroom or leave work for an emergency,” said Lorena Gonzalez, president of the California Federation of Labor Unions, AFL-CIO, representing over 1,300 unions with 2.3 million union members.
SB 7 is co-authored by assemblymembers Sade Elhawary (D-South Los Angeles) and Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles).
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Regulations can protect workers from potential job displacement, privacy invasion, and bias in hiring and performance evaluations. However, it might also slow down the adoption of AI, potentially limiting productivity gains and job creation in the long run.
Companies might face increased compliance costs and operational challenges. They may need to invest in new systems and processes to ensure they meet regulatory standards. This could be particularly burdensome for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Stricter regulations could stifle innovation and slow down the development of new technologies. Developers might need to navigate a complex landscape of varying state and federal regulations, which could increase costs and reduce competitiveness.
While consumers might benefit from increased transparency and fairness, they could also experience slower advancements in AI-driven products and services. This could limit the potential benefits of AI in areas like healthcare, finance, and customer service.