The playbook On the Field: Strategies for Confronting AI at Work gives workers and anyone curious an introduction to strategies related to the procurement process of AI technology at work and in government. 

Broadly speaking, “technology procurement” refers to the methods that employers, businesses, and governments use to request information about, acquire, and deploy technology. But the process through which technology procurement happens is often obscure and complex, leading to corporations and governments alike making procurement decisions without oversight, input, or control by the people it affects most. As a result, technology procurement is rarely done with the best interests of workers or the public in mind, and is instead driven primarily by corporate profit motives and powers consolidating to try controlling communities.

Organized workers, whether in a union or other formation, are uniquely positioned to demand information about technology procurement, negotiate protections for workers from new technologies during the procurement process, and protect public’s privacy. They are more likely to advocate for conditions, which technology inevitability impact, that better protect workers, customers, consumers, and the public.

This playbook will outline several ways workers can leverage power to prevent foreseeable harm to workers, the quality of power to prevent foreseeable harm to workers, the quality of services, and society. We included a range of interventions that can accommodate workplaces at different “stages” of that can accommodate workplaces at different “stages” of tech procurement and deployment (“before,” “during,” and “after” procurement). We also included a range of activities “after” procurement). We also included a range of activities that can be adopted by workers, whether formally unionized or informally organized, for a focused campaign.

This playbook offers workers a variety of activities, tools and strategies to engage employers (and government), but also to create a clear record that documents what an employer knew before a particular technology was deployed. Whether or not employers or government agencies are willing to create opportunities for worker or public input in the tech procurement process, these strategies support workers’ ability to documenting their meaningful and informed attempts to demand participation.