The software giant is allying with the American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organisations, which comprises 60 labour unions representing 12.5 million workers.

 Under the partnership, Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft, will provide labour leaders and workers with formal training on AI. The education sessions will start in the winter of 2024. Microsoft will also begin gathering feedback from labour groups and focus on unions and workers in "key selected sectors."

The initiative marks the first formal collaboration on AI between labour unions and the technology industry and coincides with growing concerns that artificial intelligence could displace workers.

The agreement includes a template for "neutrality" terms that would make it easier for unions to organise at Microsoft. The move expands an approach the company already agreed to for its video game workers and lays the groundwork for broader unionisation at Microsoft.

Neutrality agreements commit companies not to wage anti-union campaigns in response to workers organising.