Apple and Disney face shareholder votes on AI use after the U.S. SEC rejected their exclusion requests. AFL-CIO proposed reports on AI ethics, urging transparency, consent, and compensation for creators. The SEC ruled the proposals transcend ordinary business matters and may lead to agreements aligning with Microsoft’s AI disclosures.
AT A GLANCE
- Apple and Disney must allow shareholder votes on artificial intelligence (AI) use, according to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
- The SEC rejected requests from Apple and Disney to exclude calls for reports on their AI use from upcoming annual meetings.
- Corporations, including Apple and Disney, have embraced AI for efficiency, but concerns about its impact on workers and labor disputes have arisen.
- Similar shareholder proposals were filed by the AFL-CIO pension trust, the largest U.S. labor union, at four other technology companies.
- The AFL-CIO asked Apple to disclose its AI use and ethical guidelines, while Disney was requested to report on its board’s role in overseeing AI.
- The AFL-CIO emphasized that AI systems should not be trained on copyrighted works without transparency, consent, and compensation to creators.
- The SEC’s decision may lead to agreements with Apple and Disney, aligning their AI disclosures with companies like Microsoft, which the AFL-CIO suggests have addressed ethical issues more effectively.
AI Transparency on the Agenda: Apple and Disney Face Shareholder Votes on AI usage
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries, promising breakthroughs and streamlining processes. However, this technological surge has also sparked anxieties among labor groups, particularly regarding potential job displacement and ethical implications. These concerns came to the forefront recently when the AFL-CIO, the largest labor federation in the U.S., successfully challenged Apple and Disney in their attempts to avoid shareholder votes on AI usage.
Demanding Transparency and Accountability
In January 2024, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ruled against Apple and Disney, mandating the inclusion of shareholder proposals seeking reports on their AI usage in their upcoming annual meetings. These proposals, filed by an AFL-CIO pension trust, aim to shed light on the companies’ AI practices and address issues like:
- Job displacement: The increasing reliance on AI raises concerns about job losses in various sectors. The proposals call for transparency on how AI might impact the workforce and what measures are being taken to mitigate potential job losses.
- Ethical considerations: AI development and deployment raise various ethical concerns, including data privacy, bias, and algorithmic fairness. The proposals seek disclosure of ethical guidelines adopted by the companies and how they ensure responsible AI development and use.
- Copyright and compensation: Training AI systems on copyrighted works like music, films, and literature often raises questions about authorship, ownership, and fair compensation for creators. The proposals demand transparency on how the companies address these issues in their AI development process.
Potential Outcomes and Broader Implications
The AFL-CIO sees the SEC’s decision as a potential watershed moment for AI transparency. Brandon Rees, the federation’s deputy director of investment, believes it could pave the way for agreements with Apple and Disney, bringing their AI disclosures in line with those of other tech giants like Microsoft. He further contends that these companies remain far behind in grappling with the ethical dilemmas surrounding AI.
This ruling sets a significant precedent for increased scrutiny of AI practices within corporations. Other tech companies and industries with significant AI adoption may face similar shareholder demands in the future. This could encourage greater transparency and accountability in AI development and deployment, mitigating potential harm to workers and ensuring responsible technological advancement.
Beyond Apple and Disney: A Broader Conversation
The debate surrounding AI and its impact on labor extends beyond major corporations. As AI integration continues across various sectors, concerns about job displacement, skill obsolescence, and ethical considerations will require comprehensive, industry-wide dialogue. Governments, businesses, labor unions, and educational institutions must collaborate to develop effective strategies for workforce adaptation, continuous learning, and responsible AI development.
The conversation necessitates open and transparent communication regarding AI adoption plans, potential impacts on workers, and mitigation strategies. Addressing these concerns head-on will be crucial for navigating the ethical and social challenges of the AI revolution and ensuring its benefits are equitably distributed across the workforce.
The SEC’s decision regarding Apple and Disney marks a crucial step towards greater transparency and accountability in AI practices. The broader conversation triggered by this ruling must continue, involving all stakeholders in ensuring that AI development serves the collective interests of society, promoting both technological advancement and ethical responsibility. The path forward lies in fostering open dialogue, addressing labor concerns, and developing safeguards to ensure a future where AI empowers, rather than displaces, the workforce.
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