IBM Japan and Union Reach Landmark Agreement on AI-Based Personnel Evaluations
A labor dispute between IBM Japan and the Japan Metal, Manufacturing, Information and Telecommunication Workers’ Union (JMITU) has been resolved through a landmark agreement. The agreement, reached on August 2nd, 2023, and approved by the Tokyo metropolitan government’s Labor Relations Commission, addresses concerns about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in personnel evaluations.
The agreement requires IBM Japan to disclose to the union the data used by its AI system to evaluate employee performance and work attitude. This information will be used by the union to monitor the transparency of the AI system and ensure that it is not being used in a discriminatory or biased manner.
The agreement also requires IBM Japan to explain the relevance of the AI system to the evaluation items used in wage rules. Additionally, for employees with low ratings, the company will disclose the specific content of the AI-based evaluations.
This agreement is significant because it establishes a model for labor-management agreements that protect worker rights and working conditions in the context of AI-based personnel evaluations. It also highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in the use of AI in the workplace.
The agreement is expected to have a positive impact on other workplaces using similar AI systems. It demonstrates the importance of collaboration between labor unions and companies to ensure that AI is used responsibly and ethically.
The agreement is also noteworthy because it comes at a time when laws and regulations regarding the use of AI are being developed around the world. The European Union recently passed the world’s first Artificial Intelligence Act, which classifies the use of AI for personnel evaluation as the second riskiest of four levels and requires strict management. This agreement suggests that similar regulations may be implemented in other countries in the future.