At a landmark gathering in California, workers discussed defenses against artificial intelligence and surveillance technology Workers from a wide range of industries are increasingly concerned about the impact of technology on their jobs — and organizing to fight back. The Dreamforce conference hosted by Salesforce in San Francisco on Sept. 18, 2024. Photo by Florence Middleton for CalMatters The current frenzy around artificial intelligence has spread like a shockwave. It started among engineers inspired by a 2017 research paper. Next came venture capitalists eager to profit from a new boom. They were followed by government officials racing to impose regulations. Now it’s labor’s turn. More than 200 trade union members and technologists gathered in Sacramento this week at a first-of-its-kind conference to discuss how AI and other tech threatens workers and to strategize for upcoming fights and possible strikes. The Making Tech Work for Workers event was convened by University of California labor centers, unions, and worker advocates and attracted people representing dock workers, home care workers, teachers, nurses, actors, state office workers, and many other occupations. A key takeaway from the proceedings: Workers of all stripes are determined to fight — during contract negotiations and amid day to day operations — for the right to negotiate more control over how AI is deployed within companies. Union representatives detailed ways AI threatens jobs, from screenwriting to driving taxis to ringing people up as a cashier. It takes a toll on your physical and mental health when tech tracks your every movement,…Fearing AI Will Take Their Jobs, Workers Plan A Long Battle Against Tech