Understanding AI requires a variety of learning approaches and methodologies; this is why the ETUI Education Department and the Foresight Unit designed an all-encompassing training program tailored for trade unionists. This program incorporates research lectures, immersive gaming experiences, field visits, and the exchange of national trade union cases and experiences when dealing with AI.
The 2023 edition of “Unpacking AI” gathered participants from Denmark, Italy, Finland, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, and the United Kingdom.
The 'ETUI AI Game' is a noteworthy component of the training course. It's a board game that allows participants to learn about different types of applications in 12 sectors. Through gaming, participants engage in stimulating discussions on critical topics such as privacy, health, safety, and ethics. Furthermore, the AI game serves as a tool to strengthen negotiation skills and critical thinking by discussing a scenario in which an AI system is implemented in a given workplace. Each participant takes on the role of various societal stakeholders, including employers, employees, AI developers, government representatives, environmental activists, citizens, parents, and more, fostering a multifaceted understanding of AI's societal implications.
In addition to this immersive experience, a field visit to the Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre (IMEC) was organized, thanks to the collaborative efforts of trade union representatives and the company's management. IMEC is a world leader in nano-electronics and AI. During the visit, participants attended a lecture on AI that delved into the trends and applications currently under development, such as mobility and smart technologies, and healthcare. The lecture also addressed the ethical and sustainability dimensions of AI. A remarkable aspect of this visit was the opportunity to tour the 'cleanroom,' an environment free from dust and vibrations. This space is one of the world's most advanced facilities, dedicated to the research and development of cutting-edge semiconductors. Here, advanced computing techniques converge to produce 300mm silicon wafers, which are subsequently employed across a diverse spectrum of applications, including AI systems.
Grab your very own copy of our hands-on guide to help map #AI, strengthen critical thinking, and support anyone involved in negotiating the deployment of AI systems, now available in French and Spanish!