Bridges Center researching workers’ AI experiences

Labor researchers at the University of Washington are studying whether workers’ identities and backgrounds impact their experience of AI technology

SEATTLE, WA (May 11, 2026) — As the debate around artificial intelligence’s role in the workplace continues — and the labor movement steps up its organizing to ensure working people have a say in how AI is developed, used, and regulated for the workforce — the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies is leading a survey to better understand workers’ current experiences and thoughts on the tech.

A partnership with the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (WSLC) and the Coalition for Black Trade Unionists (CBTU), Puget Sound Chapter, the survey is designed to fill gaps in existing research. While there’s a rapidly growing pool of data about general perspectives, the Bridges Center’s survey is focused on how workers’ identities, including race and ethnicity, interact with their workplace AI experiences.

From the Bridges Center:

The Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies (Bridges Center) is partnering with the WSLC, and CBTU, Puget Sound Chapter, to better understand union workers’ and labor leaders’ current experiences with and perspectives regarding artificial intelligence (AI). We are especially trying to build a better understanding of whether workers experience the impacts of technology differently based on their identities and backgrounds.

We have created a survey for union members, staff, and leadership, as well as non-union workers. For unions, depending on your role as a member, staff, or elected leader, you will respond to different questions. Your responses are anonymous, and our report will focus on trends.

Your individual responses will not be shared with your employer, your union, or anyone outside the research team at the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies. All information provided will be de-identified (anonymized) during study activities and formation of the final report. All data will be stored on a password-protected database. Your privacy is of utmost importance. We believe everyone deserves to feel comfortable while participating in research projects.

The survey can be found online, and takes approximately 5-15 minutes, depending on experiences with AI. The Bridges Center also encourages respondents to share the survey with with union staff, leadership, and members to ensure as broad a survey sample as possible.

The project is led by two UAW 4121 members, Bridges Center Research Director, Rachel Erstad, and PhD candidate and Bridges Center Graduate Researcher, Joice Tang. Please reach out to Rachel Erstad, Research Director at the Bridges Center, with any questions regarding this project at rerstad@uw.edu.