Technology
Draft law on AI in working life planned
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (l) and Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (both SPD) want to use AIs in the work environment. photo
© Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa
Artificial intelligence has been the hot topic in recent weeks. The government is also concerned with this and would like to use the computer programs for the world of work. What does that mean exactly?
According to a media report, strict rules are to be created for the use of artificial intelligence to select or monitor employees. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (both SPD) want to present the draft for a new employee data protection law by the summer, which should prevent the complete monitoring of employees, reports the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”.
The term artificial intelligence (AI) means computer programs that can learn in a similar way to humans. Instead of being programmed for every purpose, AI can find answers and solve problems on its own.
Ki holds “immense opportunities,” Faeser told the newspaper, “but also the dangers that processes are no longer transparent, that people are discriminated against or that personal rights are violated through improper surveillance.”
Draft details
A paper from the ministries available to the SZ outlines how sensitive employee data, for example on health, whereabouts, political beliefs, sexual orientation or origin, should be protected. Video recordings should only be allowed in exceptional cases, for example to avert danger for firefighters. Employers should “not be allowed to create complete movement and performance profiles for their employees,” the paper continues.
In general, “necessary and sensible practices” such as recording driving and rest times should remain possible. According to the report, AI should have to meet scientific standards in application processes and only be allowed to check properties that are important for a position.