Workers First Summit on Artificial Intelligence
This inaugural AI Summit brings together union members, academics, and policymakers to build on the launch of the AFL-CIO’s Workers First Initiative on Artificial Intelligence. In partnership with Case Western Reserve University, the summit will ground participants in how AI is already being used in the workplace, examine its impacts across industries, and explore how unions can shape a future where technology strengthens jobs, rights, and worker power. Participants will leave better equipped to push for strong policy guardrails, enforceable collective bargaining protections, and a worker-centered AI agenda for Northeast Ohio and beyond. There is no cost to attend.
February 20, 2026
Case Western Reserve University
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Tentative Agenda
| 10:00 A.M. | Welcome & Opening Remarks |
| 10:05 A.M. | The AFL-CIO Workers' First Initiative on AI |
| 10:35 A.M. | Break |
| 10:40 A.M. | AI's Current Harms: What Workers Are Facing Right Now |
| 11:20 A.M. | Break |
| 11:25 A.M. | Case Study: Unite-Here & Carnegie Mellon |
| 12:00 P.M. | Lunch (Provided) |
| 1:00 P.M. | Sector Impacts & Job Disruption: What's Coming Next |
| 1:40 P.M. | Break |
| 1:45 P.M. | Guardrails: Policy & Collective Bargaining |
| 2:25 P.M. | Closing: A Worker-Centered AI Agenda for Northeast Ohio |