Michigan Labor Movement Pushes for AI Worker Protections with New Legislation

Lansing, MI – Michigan’s labor movement launched a statewide campaign on February 23, 2026, to establish safeguards on artificial intelligence, beginning with the introduction of the RAISE Act. The Responsible AI Security Employees (RAISE) Act aims to prevent the misuse of AI technologies that could negatively impact Michigan workers.

Growing Concerns Over AI’s Impact on Workers

The campaign comes amid increasing concerns about the potential for AI to displace jobs, exacerbate inequality, and enable intrusive workplace monitoring. Ron Bieber, president of the Michigan AFL-CIO, stated that “unaccountable artificial intelligence is one of the greatest threats the working class faces.” He emphasized the need for both state and federal regulations to ensure AI benefits workers rather than solely enriching billionaires. Michigan AFL-CIO

Key Provisions of the RAISE Act

The RAISE Act focuses on three primary areas to protect workers:

• AI Monitoring Guardrails: Establishing limitations on how employers can utilize AI to monitor employee activity.
• AI Standards for Employers: Creating standards that employers must adhere to when implementing AI technologies in the workplace.
• Prohibition of AI Wage Setting: Preventing employers from using AI algorithms to determine employee wages.

Addressing Current AI Practices

Representative Penelope Tsernoglou (D-East Lansing) highlighted the current reality of AI use in Michigan workplaces. “The unfortunate reality is that artificial intelligence is already being used to surveil, intimidate, and steal wages from Michigan workers. That is unacceptable,” she said. WILX The RAISE Act seeks to address these existing issues by providing critical guardrails.

Support from Labor Unions

The RAISE Act has garnered support from various labor unions across Michigan. Linda L. Hinton, CWA District 4 Vice President, stated that the power of AI must be harnessed to help workers, not just benefit large technology companies. Jeff Breslin, RN and president of the Professional Employee Council of Sparrow Hospital (PECSH)-Michigan Nurses Association, expressed concern that hospital administrators are considering using AI to track and surveil nurses instead of improving patient care or providing better support. Michigan AFL-CIO

Next Steps

The RAISE Act has been introduced in the Michigan Legislature and will be assigned to a committee. Lawmakers are planning to schedule a hearing in the coming weeks to discuss the legislation further. WILX Ryan Sebolt, director of government affairs of the Michigan AFL-CIO, affirmed the organization’s preparedness for this fight, emphasizing the need for laws to protect Michigan workers from the potential harms of unchecked AI development.