Partnership on AI and the Quality of work (PAIQ)

Reasons for the study

The Canadian labour market is undergoing an artificial intelligence (AI) revolution. AI's capacity to learn, adapt, and create outputs with increasing independence means that it can automate job tasks across a broad range of occupations, with the potential to substantially change the world of work. Despite this, we have limited understanding of how AI will affect working conditions and worker experiences—whether for better or for worse. We also lack information on the worker groups that may be most advantaged or disadvantaged by AI.

This partnership project aims to address pressing questions of how AI will affect the quality of working lives in Canada. Working with a pan-Canadian multidisciplinary team of 39 researchers and 34 partner organizations, we will conduct a series of research studies to better understand what the increased use of AI in the workplace means for wellbeing of Canadian workers. Findings will be integrated into the design of applied resources to guide healthy and equitable AI adoption in the workplace. This project will also build capacity among early career researchers and partners to work at the intersection of AI, work, and health.

Objectives of the study

Target audience

This project will be relevant to a broad range of stakeholders. For policy-makers, our research offers a pathway to modernize labour standards, address the risks posed by AI and craft legislation that safeguards workers. For employers, insights can be used to foster conditions at work that promote worker wellbeing and to ensure that workers are central to AI implementation decisions. Workers and unions can leverage our findings to navigate the opportunities and challenges posed by AI and advocate for improved job quality and working conditions. For AI developers, our results will offer guidance on designing safer and more responsible AI technologies that account for their impact on job quality and worker health, safety and wellbeing.