Emerging technology developments are prompting boards to re-evaluate their oversight obligations for the company’s workforce.

The recent headlines are hard to miss. Numerous publications are reporting a similar story line: AI deployment is having a significant impact on the employer-employee relationship. This, primarily in the form of layoffs (including white collar employees) as major companies increase their investment in AI in search of efficiency gains.

It’s a development that shouldn’t surprise informed corporate directors. To some, it’s simply the confirmation of a long-accepted economic prediction – that AI will ultimately lead to massive layoffs where machines replace humans. That it’s the logical evolution of an innovation-driven economy. Others may counter that AI’s impact on the workforce will be less consequential and much more gradual. In other words, no cause for alarm. What’s certain is that these AI-driven layoffs are prompting discussion on whether the board must in some way consider the workforce impact as the company deploys AI.

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