The Busy Signal > Member Voices

AI, Data Centres and the Future of Work

By David Hopkinson | Summer/Fall 2026

Artificial intelligence (AI) was the big topic at the 2026 Canadian Association of Labour Media (CALM) conference, and Advanced Communicators Day was no exception. The discussions raised important questions about the future of work, workers' rights and the challenges unions will need to address as technology and major development projects reshape our workplaces and communities.

Protecting Workers in the Age of AI

The morning presentation featured Damon Romine of SAG-AFTRA, the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, the union representing performers and media professionals in the United States.

At first glance, Saskatchewan workers and Hollywood actors might not seem to have much in common. But both face a similar concern: the possibility that artificial intelligence could be used to eliminate jobs and reduce the value of human work.

SAG-AFTRA addressed this issue through contract negotiations, securing protections around the use of AI-generated recreations of actors. Under the arrangement discussed at the conference, studios can use digital recreations, but must still compensate the actors whose likenesses are being used.

There are important lessons here for all of us.

Call centres may increasingly rely on AI-generated voices, but customers still need access to real people. AI may help write computer code, but programmers are still needed to supervise, review and take responsibility for that work. Marketing teams may use AI tools to develop advertising, but human creativity and expertise remain essential.

Employers will inevitably look for ways to reduce labour costs. Unions need to be part of the conversation to ensure that technological advances do not come at the expense of workers' jobs, wages and rights. AI should be a tool that supports workers, not simply a way to replace them.

The Data Centre Debate: Opportunity and Impact

The second part of the day focused on the development of a new data centre and the different perspectives surrounding projects of this scale.

Whether you support data centre development or have concerns about it, one thing became clear: there can be a difficult tension between the long-term social and environmental concerns of a community and the immediate employment opportunities created for workers.

Some of the concerns raised included the relatively small number of permanent jobs expected once construction is complete, the potential impact on Saskatchewan's water supplies, increased noise and heat, and the possibility of affecting the affordability of life in the province.

At the same time, the construction project represents a significant opportunity for unionized tradespeople. Two years of construction work means steady employment, paycheques and the ability to support their families and meet their financial commitments.

Both perspectives are valid, and that is what makes the issue so challenging.

When your immediate needs are being met, it can be easy to focus on the long-term consequences of a project. But when you are looking for work and need to pay your bills today, a two-year employment opportunity can make an enormous difference.

Finding a balance between immediate economic opportunities and long-term community interests is not simple. It requires honest discussion and recognition that workers and communities can have different, equally important priorities.

Looking Ahead

The discussions at Advanced Communicators Day were a reminder that unions must be prepared to address more than the traditional issues of wages and working conditions. We also need to consider how technology, economic development and environmental decisions will affect the people we represent.

Whether we are negotiating protections around artificial intelligence or weighing the benefits and consequences of major development projects, workers need a voice in decisions that shape their future.

These conversations are not always easy, but they are essential to building a future that works for everyone.