Bringing Worker Voice into the Development, Design, and Use of AI: A Case Study of the Labor Management Partnership at Kaiser Permanente

Grant description:

As AI transforms health care, workers must have a say in its development, design, and implementation to ensure fair outcomes for both employees and patients. The proposed study examines the Labor Management Partnership at Kaiser Permanente, a unique collaboration between front-line workers and their employer, as a test case for integrating worker voice into AI decision-making. Through action research and a structured case study, the researchers will assess whether jointly negotiated AI strategies improve job quality and patient care. This work builds on a four-phase model of worker participation, addressing AI from its initial development to workforce training and transition planning. Given that U.S. labor law often limits workers’ input on technology adoption, this study has broader policy implications, demonstrating pathways to stronger worker engagement in AI governance.