Irish tech workers at Meta and Covalen can turn to unions to help fight AI replacement

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that artificial intelligence (AI) could disrupt over 40% of jobs in Ireland, describing the country as 'relatively more exposed' to AI-related risks than other advanced economies. This vulnerability stems from Ireland’s recent surge in foreign direct investment in the tech sector, placing it at the forefront of AI development and implementation. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, has announced plans to reduce its dependence on human workers by leveraging third-party contractors and expanding its AI systems. The company is reportedly preparing to cut its global workforce by 10% while investing $600 billion in data centers by 2028, a move critics argue will further diminish human roles in AI-driven operations. In Ireland, Meta has begun tracking employee computer activity—including keystrokes, mouse movements, and screen interactions—to train AI models that may eventually replace workers. A recent internal petition by U.S.-based Meta employees questioned the company’s motives, citing ethical concerns over data exploitation. Meanwhile, workers in Ireland, the UK, and the U.S. are increasingly turning to unions for support amid layoffs and AI-driven workforce changes. European trade unions have identified growing risks from AI, including automated dismissals ('robo-firings'), invasive workplace surveillance, and algorithmic decision-making that lacks transparency. Unlike the U.S., where federal worker surveillance rules are absent, the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) technically prohibits such practices. However, enforcement remains challenging without union representation, leaving workers vulnerable to managerial control over AI systems. At a conference in Copenhagen last April, union leaders and experts emphasized that AI in the workplace extends beyond productivity—it involves power dynamics, with managers retaining control over worker monitoring and discipline. Professor Valerio De Stefano warned that without collective bargaining and worker representation, AI risks reinforcing unilateral management authority, undermining workplace democracy. Unions are advocating for a 'just technological transition,' urging workers to demand notice before AI adoption, training to adapt to new roles, and the right to refuse training AI replacements. The push for stronger regulations and union involvement aims to mitigate job losses and ensure fair treatment as AI reshapes the tech industry.