Unions and the Battle over AI in the 2028 Elections

Unions prepare to face AI in the 2028 elections

The most influential unions in the United States have a clear message for prospective 2028 presidential candidates: it's us or the machines. Anxiety surrounding artificial intelligence dominated the conversation at the AFL-CIO national convention. Leaders from 65 affiliated unions demanded that politicians establish meaningful regulations for AI.

The issue is that anyone planning to run for the White House will face difficulties. It will be a challenge to please both pro-business Democrats and the party's progressive base, which is increasingly suspicious or hostile toward AI.

Unions see opportunities for union workers to build data centers and other AI projects. But they believe both parties are failing to protect workers from the consequences of the technology. "You're either on the side of the workers or the millionaires," said Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO. "There's a lack of real leadership, with a focus on the workers."

The divide between workers and millionaires

The AFL-CIO chose not to invite potential 2028 candidates to the convention, avoiding overly politicizing the event. However, union leaders did not spare criticism of politicians' AI policies. Chrissy Lynch, president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, stated that California Governor Gavin Newsom's recent executive order on AI "doesn't help." For her, "it says the right things, but it's just more research, and what we need is action."

Lynch and others made it clear they do not support the moratorium on data center construction advocated by figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders. Construction unions, in particular, see the construction of these centers as a way to secure well-paying jobs. They believe a moratorium would hurt their members. Lynch argues that "we can build data centers responsibly. They will power hospitals and universities that need it. It is part of our digital infrastructure."