State Senator Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton, announced the introduction of the "No Robo Bosses Act" on Thursday, according to his office. This groundbreaking bill seeks to ensure that human oversight is maintained over artificial intelligence in workplace decision-making, as highlighted in a press release issued that day. Senate Bill 7 aims to prevent California employers from relying exclusively on AI, or automated decision-making systems (ADS), for crucial employment actions such as hiring, promotions, discipline, or termination, according to the senator's office. Additionally, it would prohibit AI systems from utilizing personal data to forecast a worker's future behavior. "Businesses are increasingly employing AI to enhance efficiency and productivity.

However, there are currently no protections in place to prevent machines from adversely or illegally affecting workers' jobs and working conditions, " stated Senator McNerney. The bill is supported by the California Federation of Labor Unions, AFL-CIO. "No worker should have to report to a robot boss when they're concerned about safety on the job, or when they need to take a bathroom break or leave for an emergency, " commented Lorena Gonzalez, President of the California Federation of Labor Unions, AFL-CIO, which represents more than 1, 300 unions and 2. 3 million union members. SB 7 is co-authored by Assemblymembers Sade Elhawary, D-South Los Angeles, and Isaac Bryan, D-Los Angeles.