Simon Vinge is Chief Economist at Akademikerförbundet SSR, the Union for Professionals – a Swedish trade union that prioritizes AI and algorithms as critical issues for workers, including academics. Shaping the digital work environment and influencing the role of automated systems in managing work, decision making, and public institutions are crucial for insuring a just society both present and future. The Union has published resources such as a handbook for negotiating algorithms (Din kollega har blivit en algoritm) and co-written work on AI in public administration (AI och makten över besluten).
The digital transformation is affecting large parts of society with the union particularly focusing on the welfare sector and public administration. This focus is partly due because of a strong member base in these areas, and partly because this is where democratic society holds significant keys and means of regulation. The upcoming Monday presentation aims to highlight this topic, emphasizing its importance not only to ensure worker influence, but also for the survival of democracy itself.