Enhancing Job Roles with AI: Boosting Employee Productivity and Welfare
In a move to navigate the rapidly changing world of work, Audi is negotiating a works agreement on work and the use of artificial intelligence (AI). This agreement aims to govern how AI technologies are integrated into the automotive workplace and production processes, ensuring a structured, responsible, and effective adoption of AI at Audi.
Andrea Nahles, CEO of the Federal Employment Agency and a key figure in the discussion, visited the Audi Works Council in Ingolstadt to discuss what AI means for the workforce in a company like Audi. Jörg Schlagbauer, Chairman of the Audi Works Council and Deputy Chairman of the Audi Supervisory Board, emphasised that AI is the driver and guide of digital transformation at Audi.
The potential for AI to support quality management in Audi's production sector is significant. AI is being used in the optical inspection of surfaces in the press shop and paint shop at Audi's production sector. The use of AI also holds great opportunities to finally break through the complex issue of autonomous driving.
The debate about the use of artificial intelligence at Audi is ongoing, neither alarmed nor complacent in nature. The visit of Andrea Nahles to the Audi Works Council in Ingolstadt focused on ensuring workforce participation and acceptance while integrating AI tools responsibly.
The proposed agreement likely focuses on defining the conditions for using AI tools in daily work, addressing workforce impacts, data handling, and maintaining cooperation and transparency between management and employees as AI reshapes manufacturing and operational workflows.
The agreement is also expected to regulate the use of AI in everyday tasks to augment rather than replace jobs. Maintaining transparency on AI decision-making and data privacy is another key objective. Furthermore, facilitating upskilling and safe working conditions in an AI-enhanced production environment is also a priority.
Audi's works agreement aligns with broader industry trends where works agreements on AI manage the implications of digital transformation on employees in manufacturing. Audi is deeply involved in innovations such as using AI and real-time data streaming for predictive maintenance and dynamic production adjustments, improving reliability and reducing downtime.
The company is also collaborating on advanced technologies like custom private 5G networks to enhance connectivity and data usage in testing autonomous driving and connected vehicle functions.
In essence, Audi's works agreement is aimed at ensuring Audi remains a co-determined, globally successful company where people and their shared work are the focus, while embracing AI as a driver and solution to balance the shortage of skilled workers and maintain high productivity.
- The agreement at Audi, focusing on defining conditions for using artificial intelligence (AI) tools in daily work, also prioritizes maintaining transparency on AI decision-making and data privacy.
- As part of its efforts to harness artificial intelligence (AI) for quality management and autonomous driving, Audi is collaborating on advanced technologies like custom private 5G networks to enhance connectivity and data usage.
