Stories and links that are of interest or relevance to union leaders, strategists, campaigners and organisers.
Unions and union growth

As labor movements spread nationwide, White House highlights how administration is helping unions
The White House and Treasury on Monday issued a joint analysis on what the administration sees as the importance of unions, and also the White House efforts to safeguard and bolster them.

ANALYSIS: Unions, on a Roll, Are Reeling in the Workers
Labor unions successfully organized more than 58,000 workers through the National Labor Relations Board’s election process in the first six months of 2023, a massive influx of workers on a scale that we’ve rarely seen before—but that we’re likely to see again.

Poll: Majority of Americans Support Unions and Support Strikes
A new Gallup poll shows Americans are overwhelmingly in favor of labor unions.
Workers’ rights

The workers at the frontlines of the AI revolution
The global labor force of outsourced and contract workers are early adopters of generative AI — and the most at risk.

‘To them, we are like robots. The things that make us human are ground out of you’: the inside story of a strike at Amazon
When staff in Coventry downed tools, they kickstarted a David v Goliath battle against one of the most powerful companies on Earth. This is what happened next

One Model lands $41M to bring data science-powered insights to HR
A platform that uses AI to help employers make decisions about recruiting, hiring, promotions, layoffs and general workplace planning, today announced that it’s raised $41 million.

‘Training My Replacement’: Inside a Call Center Worker’s Battle With A.I.
To many people, chatbots and other technology feel like a ticking time bomb, sure to explode their work. But to some, the threat is already here.
AI and the future of work

The Writers’ Strike Over AI Is Bigger Than Hollywood
Debates on generative technology touch every industry, including ours

The Illusion Of AI’s Existential Risk
Focusing on the prospect of human extinction by AI in the distant future may prevent us from addressing AI’s disruptive dangers to society today.

Scared tech workers are scrambling to reinvent themselves as AI experts
The AI specialist is the new “it” girl in tech.

Algorithm Used in Jordanian World Bank Aid Program Stiffs the Poorest
The World Bank funds a poverty relief program in Jordan that uses an algorithm that stiffs the poorest people, Human Rights Watch found.
Fight brews on AI copyright law, as unions say big tech must pay to train AI, while Google, Microsoft ask for exemptions
The media and arts union tell the government AI owners should pay compensation for the content used to train their tools, while big tech asks for exemptions from copyright laws.
Bain & Company buys Brisbane-based Max Kelsen Consulting in AI move
Bain & Company has snapped up a Brisbane technology group as part of plans to tap into soaring demand for machine learning and artificial intelligence services from major businesses across Australia and globally.
How AI is catching tax evaders
The Australian Tax Office has deployed artificial intelligence to detect $242 million worth of tax evasion and $295 million worth of superannuation underpayments.

Do we need a new law for AI? Sure – but first we could try enforcing the laws we already have
Reform for artificial intelligence is urgent. If we cut through the hype and self-interest, Australian law can promote responsible and safe AI.

How Thomson Reuters is leveraging AI to enhance productivity
Thomson Reuters has been around since the 19th century, but it’s not stuck there, embracing AI as a way to help customers and employees.

The workers at the frontlines of the AI revolution
The global labor force of outsourced and contract workers are early adopters of generative AI — and the most at risk.

These Women Tried to Warn Us About AI
Today the risks of artificial intelligence are clear — but the warning signs have been there all along


How platforms can make our politics resilient to AI
OpenAI isn’t enforcing its rules — but other platforms may protect us from its mistakes
Campaigning, organising and digital/social media

Inside Biden’s hidden campaign
The president is gambling that using Democratic and outside groups will work better than a big, centralized effort.


Biden campaign beefs up its data operation
Political campaigns have increasingly employed data scientists and engineers to better understand the electorate and inform decisions on where to spend time and money. The Biden campaign says those efforts will be turbocharged this cycle, becoming central to how the campaign targets and connects with voters over the next 16 months.

Biden, Democrats boost their data game for 2024
Party taps into a recently developed database with information on 90% of U.S. voters.

Indian politicians embrace influencers ahead of 2024 elections
As the campaign for the 2024 elections in India goes digital, social media influencers have become a powerful tool to try and shape voter behavior.

Understanding the Power of Political Merchandise: The Six Principles of Influence
Uncover the power of political merchandise in influencing voter behavior. Learn how psychological tricks like reciprocity, commitment, social proof, authority, and scarcity drive action in campaigns.

Saudi Arabia Owns Stake in Firm That Bought Democratic Party’s Campaign Tech
Saudi Arabia owns a stake in Apax Partners, the private equity firm that bought NGP VAN and EveryAction, part of the Democrats’ campaign tech monopoly.

The fragmentation election
2024 is shaping as the first election of the age of fragmented media, with no single dominant platform for candidates to reach voters.

I’ve been on the GOP Prez Emails Lists for 7 Weeks. Here’s What’s I’ve Learned.
In mid-June, I signed up for the email lists of the 6 top-tier Republican presidential candidates. Let’s see who’s doing what.

The AI Revolution is Canceled
Seventeen years ago, C&E published a magazine cover story with the ominous headline: “Artificial Intelligence Could Alter Campaigning As We Know It.”

Inside CounterCloud: A Fully Autonomous AI Disinformation System
CounterCloud, a totally autonomous AI disinformation system, gives a glimpse into how AI and disinformation will work together in the future.
Society, media, news and culture

Private hospitals using algorithms to game stats by discharging “likely to die” patients
The biggest US hospital chain – HCA – uses an algorithm to select patients “likely to die,” so the they can “discharge them” & claim reductions in their “mortality rate.”
