As the tech industry becomes increasingly enveloped by artificial intelligence (AI), discussions surrounding its impact on workers and the economy are intensifying. Major tech companies, such as Google and Microsoft, heavily invest in AI and have formed a consortium to examine its potential effects on technology jobs. The group, led by Cisco, a telecommunications equipment manufacturer, includes other notable participants like IBM, Intel, SAP, and Accenture. The American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and the Communications Workers of America (CWA) are also involved as "advisors" to the group. The emergence of generative AI, such as chatbots and image generators, has disrupted the tech industry. Many companies have enthusiastically embraced this technology, developing new AI tools, and assuring investors that these advancements will revolutionize the world and drive significant profits. Concerns about AI replacing human jobs have become more pressing as policymakers contemplate potential regulations for this technology. Some professional writers have already experienced job losses, as companies increasingly rely on chatbots for advertising and social media copy. Hollywood writers secured protections against involuntary collaboration with AI-generated content in their recent union contract.

Numerous computer programmers claim to use AI to expedite coding processes. According to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2023, around 20 percent of American workers are employed in occupations with "high exposure" to AI, such as tax preparers, copywriters, and web developers. However, the overall impact of the AI revolution on work remains uncertain. The specific activities of the newly formed group are also ambiguous. Cisco's announcement regarding the group states that it aims to produce a report offering "actionable insights for business leaders and workers. " The report will investigate how AI might alter 56 technology-related occupations, though the statement does not provide exact details about these roles. A Cisco spokesperson mentioned that the companies involved are currently determining the specific jobs to be covered in the report. Requests for further information about the group made to Google, Microsoft, CWA, and AFL-CIO representatives have remained unanswered. It is common for corporations to establish working groups or issue reports on industry-related concerns as a means to influence debates in their favor. Tech companies have been among the largest spenders on lobbying efforts over the past decade, initially during attempts by Congress to regulate social media and now as lawmakers shift their attention towards AI. Many tech executives have publicly advocated for "reskilling" or "upskilling" workers to adapt to changing economic conditions, emphasizing the importance of training individuals in new skill sets. However, these same companies have often implemented substantial layoffs, resulting in the displacement of tens of thousands of employees.