AFL-CIO Technology Institute
The AFL-CIO Technology Institute is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit policy and advocacy organization established in 2021 by the AFL-CIO labor federation to develop worker-centered AI principles, publish issue briefs, and influence federal and state workplace technology policy on behalf of 15 million represented workers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What AFL-CIO Technology Institute does
The AFL-CIO Technology Institute is a nonprofit policy research and advocacy organization established in 2021 by the AFL-CIO, the U.S. national labor federation representing 65 national and international affiliates and 15 million workers across every sector of the economy. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Institute functions as the federation's center of gravity for technology and AI policy, rather than as a commercial technology vendor. Its work centers on developing worker-centered AI principles, publishing issue briefs, submitting comments to federal agencies such as HHS, and providing congressional testimony on workplace technology regulation.
The Institute's primary outputs are policy frameworks and research publications rather than software products. Core offerings include the Workers First Initiative on AI (a foundational framework of eight principles released in October 2025), multiple issue briefs on AI harms to workers, federal preemption risks, bossware surveillance, and algorithmic management, the Workers Tech Watch newsletter, and research collaborations with academic institutions such as Carnegie Mellon's HCII. The organization does not develop or sell AI technology; its technical footprint is limited to research, advocacy writing, and coalition convening, with distribution through the AFL-CIO's affiliate network, state AFL-CIO organizations, and a bipartisan civil-society coalition.
The Institute is funded primarily by the AFL-CIO federation, with additional philanthropic support (e.g., Siegel Family Endowment, December 2025). It does not generate revenue from product or service sales; its operating model is nonprofit advocacy. The 11–50 employee organization is led by Executive Director Lauren McFerran (former NLRB Chair, effective February 23, 2026), with senior advisors Ed Wytkind and Bryan Doyle, and policy staff drawn from prior roles at the U.S. Senate HELP Committee, Senate Banking Committee, Center for American Progress, and National Education Association.
AFL-CIO Technology Institute firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AFL-CIO Technology Institute
- Legal name
- AFL-CIO Technology Institute
- Website
- https://aflciotechinstitute.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The AFL-CIO Technology Institute is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit policy and advocacy organization established in 2021 by the AFL-CIO labor federation to develop worker-centered AI principles, publish issue briefs, and influence federal and state workplace technology policy on behalf of 15 million represented workers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AFL-CIO Technology Institute industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Labor Policy Advocacy
- akta.pro primary industry
- AI Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) Platforms (HDAAAMAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Regulatory Readiness & Audit Automation (e.g., EU AI Act, NIST AI RMF, ISO/IEC 42001) (HDAAAMAE), Responsible AI, Security & Privacy Platforms (Safety, Guardrails, PII) (HDAEANAG), Enterprise AI Governance, Risk & Compliance Platforms (Model Risk, Audit, Policies) (HDAEANAE)
Keywords
Where AFL-CIO Technology Institute is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
AFL-CIO Technology Institute business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- AFL-CIO Funding: The Tech Institute is funded by and operates as part of the AFL-CIO, the national labor federation. Established in 2021 by the AFL-CIO, the institute's funding derives from the federation's resources and member contributions.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
AFL-CIO Technology Institute product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AFL-CIO Technology Institute is a nonprofit policy research and advocacy organization that develops worker-centered frameworks, policy recommendations, and research on AI and workplace technology. Its work centers on crafting AI principles, publishing issue briefs, submitting congressional testimony, and educating policymakers on behalf of organized labor. Established in 2021 by the AFL-CIO as its hub for technology and AI policy analysis, the Institute produces the Workers First Initiative on AI, issue briefs documenting workplace AI harms, and the Workers Tech Watch newsletter.
Product overview
The AFL-CIO Technology Institute is a policy and advocacy organization established in 2021 by the AFL-CIO (national labor federation of 65 national and international affiliates representing 15 million workers). Rather than a traditional product company, the organization produces policy frameworks, research publications, and advocacy resources. Its core offerings include the Workers First Initiative on AI (a policy framework with eight guiding principles), multiple Issue Briefs documenting AI harms to workers, research published in academic journals, and the Workers Tech Watch newsletter. The organization focuses on centering worker voices in technology policy development rather than offering commercial products or software services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Workers First Initiative on AI A foundational initiative from the AFL-CIO Technology Institute outlining eight key priorities for ensuring AI serves and supports workers, providing practical guidance on protecting workers from harmful AI experimentation and strengthening collective bargaining to manage automation-driven change. Targeted at union leaders, policymakers, and labor advocates.
- Workers Tech Watch Newsletter A weekly newsletter at the intersection of technology and working people that provides updates on tech policy, AI guardrails, and labor movement positions, distributed to subscribers via email sign-up.
Quantifiable outcome
- 89% of Americans believe they sacrifice too much privacy for technology company profits
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use AFL-CIO Technology Institute
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
AFL-CIO Technology Institute technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AFL-CIO Technology Institute partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- MicrosoftflagshipHistoric AFL-CIO-Microsoft agreement on AI and the future of workforce. This landmark partnership established a framework for labor-tech collaboration on AI development, focusing on ensuring technology serves workers rather than replacing them. The partnership serves as a model for worker-centered AI R&D.
- Carnegie Mellon UniversitycoreResearch partnership through CMU's Human-Computer Interaction Institute conducting studies on bus driver technology use. The Carnegie Mellon bus driver study demonstrates how frontline worker expertise improves technology design and implementation in transportation.
- Unite HerecorePartnership exploring algorithmic management in the hospitality industry. Research collaboration examining how AI and algorithmic tools affect hospitality workers and identifying best practices for worker protection.
- United SteelworkerscoreCollaborative podcast engagement through the Solidarity Works podcast where Tech Institute Interim Executive Director Ed Wytkind discussed AFL-CIO's Workers First Initiative on AI, collective bargaining approaches to AI protection, and worker-centered AI future.
- Center for American ProgressminorCo-hosting policy discussions on federal preemption of state AI laws. The Tech Institute participated in an April 29, 2026 discussion alongside Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and Public Knowledge on concerns about AI regulation and worker protections.
- Leadership Conference on Civil and Human RightsminorCoalition partner in policy discussions on AI regulation. Collaborates on advocacy against federal preemption of state AI laws that could weaken existing worker and consumer protections.
- Public KnowledgeminorCoalition partner in policy discussions on AI regulation. Participates in joint advocacy efforts regarding federal preemption of state AI regulations.
- Pro-Human AI Declaration CoalitioncoreBipartisan coalition committed to ensuring artificial intelligence serves humanity. The Tech Institute signed the declaration joining this coalition with the conviction that AI should benefit people over profits.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
AFL-CIO Technology Institute competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- New America: Think tank with active programs on technology policy, AI ethics, and the future of work. Comparable as a broader policy research institution covering overlapping AI and labor policy domains.
- Roosevelt Institute: Progressive economic think tank producing research on technology, labor markets, and worker power. Comparable as a values-aligned think tank engaged in AI and automation policy.
- Center for American Progress: Progressive policy think tank that co-hosts AI policy forums with the Tech Institute and shapes federal legislation commentary. Directly comparable as a labor-aligned policy advocacy organization focused on technology and worker issues.
Direct peers
- Public Knowledge: Public interest advocacy organization focused on technology policy, including AI regulation and federal preemption debates. Coalition partner that co-advocates with the Tech Institute on AI guardrails.
- AI Now Institute: Research institute focused on the social implications of artificial intelligence, producing policy research on AI accountability, bias, and governance. Closest peer on AI ethics and policy research outputs.
- Data & Society: Research organization studying the social implications of data-centric technologies, including AI in the workplace. Direct peer in producing research that informs AI governance and worker protection policy.
- Economic Policy Institute: Labor-oriented think tank producing research and policy analysis on worker economic issues, including technology and automation. Most directly comparable as the leading labor-aligned policy research organization in the US.
Emerging players
- Future of Privacy Forum: Think tank focused on data privacy and emerging technology policy, including workplace surveillance and AI. Comparable as a focused policy advocacy organization engaging regulators on AI and worker data rights.
Regional players
- Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights: Coalition of civil rights organizations advocating on AI discrimination and worker protections. Coalition partner that aligns with the Tech Institute on preventing algorithmic discrimination and surveillance harms.
Others
- Brookings Institution: Major policy research institution with substantive AI and workforce policy programs. Comparable as a high-credibility policy research body whose outputs shape the same federal AI regulatory debates the Tech Institute engages in.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AFL-CIO Technology Institute social profiles
Digital presenceAFL-CIO Technology Institute financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AFL-CIO Technology Institute leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
AFL-CIO Technology Institute funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors1 record
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AFL-CIO Technology Institute M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AFL-CIO Technology Institute
What does AFL-CIO Technology Institute do?
AFL-CIO Technology Institute is a nonprofit policy research and advocacy organization that develops worker-centered frameworks, policy recommendations, and research on AI and workplace technology. Its work centers on crafting AI principles, publishing issue briefs, submitting congressional testimony, and educating policymakers on behalf of organized labor. Established in 2021 by the AFL-CIO as its hub for technology and AI policy analysis, the Institute produces the Workers First Initiative on AI, issue briefs documenting workplace AI harms, and the Workers Tech Watch newsletter.
Is AFL-CIO Technology Institute a public or private company?
AFL-CIO Technology Institute is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was AFL-CIO Technology Institute founded?
AFL-CIO Technology Institute was founded in 2021. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is AFL-CIO Technology Institute based?
AFL-CIO Technology Institute is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does AFL-CIO Technology Institute make money?
One revenue line is on record: AFL-CIO Funding.
Who are AFL-CIO Technology Institute's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are New America, Roosevelt Institute and Center for American Progress. Direct peers are Public Knowledge, AI Now Institute, Data & Society and Economic Policy Institute. Future of Privacy Forum is listed as an emerging player. Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is listed as a regional player. Brookings Institution is listed as an others.
Does AFL-CIO Technology Institute have an API?
No public API is recorded for AFL-CIO Technology Institute.
What industry is AFL-CIO Technology Institute in?
AFL-CIO Technology Institute's product category is Labor Policy Advocacy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAAAMAA, AI Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) Platforms, with a secondary code of HDAAAMAE, Regulatory Readiness & Audit Automation (e.g., EU AI Act, NIST AI RMF, ISO/IEC 42001).