Experts have issued a warning that new laws are necessary to regulate the proliferation of employer surveillance and AI systems brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking to the Human Rights Joint Committee in Westminster, Oxford academic Jeremias Adams-Prassl raised concerns about the misuse of AI, stating that without legislation, its dark use will continue to grow in the UK. He explained that AI technology could enable employers not only to hire and fire staff but also to predict when employees will exercise certain rights or make life choices. Adams-Prassl cited examples from the US where employers used predictive analytics to determine the likelihood of an employee joining a trade union or having children. He emphasized the need for outright bans on certain AI applications by employers, such as predicting pregnancy or trade union membership. Adams-Prassl referred to a litigation case where a major provider of online logistics and retail solutions was accused of targeting trade unionists in dismissals. He highlighted the concerning automated nature of the decision-making process and emphasized the importance of protecting workers’ personal privacy within the workplace. Adams-Prassl stated that the use of surveillance systems has significantly increased during the pandemic and urged caution in not considering these times as the new normal. The article also mentioned Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s opinion on the risks and benefits of AI and his suggestion of international cooperation to discuss the implications of AI technology.