Jennie Baird, co-chair of the Ethical Tech Project, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to address the growing impact of artificial intelligence on American workers. Baird shed light on her organization’s mission to educate and guide tech builders toward ethical, responsible AI development practices.
Baird was clear that the risk of AI replacing a person's job is real, noting that any worker not concerned about AI’s potential to replace jobs may not understand the current landscape. She explained that advances in automation are affecting nearly every industry, with even highly skilled professions like engineering and creative fields now facing disruption from generative AI tools. While Baird doesn’t view AI as a universal job killer, she focused on the speed and unpredictability of its rise, cautioning that the nature of work will inevitably change and workers must be prepared to adapt.
Next, Baird offered insight into the vast, largely unregulated tech sector. She described the current climate as a “wild west,” where technological development moves faster than legislation, oversight, or professional standards can keep pace. Despite the unprecedented influence tech workers have on society, there is no system of credentialing or regulatory body to ensure ethical decision-making. She highlighted the environmental costs of AI, such as the high energy demand of AI-powered searches and ongoing concerns about privacy, bias and the potential for technology to be weaponized against the public interest.
To counter these challenges, the Ethical Tech Project delivers targeted training to help technology professionals build a stronger ethical foundation. Baird shared details of the group’s 10-part curriculum, which covers everything from setting a moral compass and evaluating unintended consequences to grappling with data ownership and the societal implications of automation. The project works directly with tech companies, encouraging both leadership and front-line workers to consider the social outcomes of the products they design. The goal is to create a culture where human-centered values shape technology’s future, ensuring that innovation delivers benefits to workers and society as a whole.
For more from the Ethical Tech Project, listen to the full episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast above.