• by Ray Schultz , Columnist, May 12, 2025

Publishers about to negotiate labor contracts better be prepared for one thing: Workers are now demanding—and winning—AI protections.

More than two dozen collective bargaining agreements contain language covering artificial intelligence, according to the NewsGuild. The purpose is to protect jobs—and journalistic integrity. 

Guild members have escalated their actions to the point of going on strike to win AI language in agreements. 

For instance, the Ziff Davis Guild pushed for strong language, stating that AI shall not result in layoffs or pay reductions or be used to fill vacant positions.

And the New Republic Guild members won language that says generative AI “may be used by bargaining unit employees as a complementary tool in editorial work, but it may not be used as a primary tool for creation of such.”

One common provision is to require training for members on the use of AI and how to comply with ethical standards. 

These measures protect both publishers and their newsroom staffs—no small benefit given the embarrassment some have faced for publishing false or misleading posts generated by AI.

Another demand is clear labeling. The Ziff Davis contract cited above adds that if the company “uses AI to create, curate, or modify, in whole or in part, any content appearing in the same publication in which bylines of current or former bargaining unit employees appear…the Company must clearly identify it as “‘AI-Generated Content.’”

Get with it: It's like Politico PEN Guild said in a social campaign: “Journalists, Not Robots”