Apple, Disney must allow voting on AI

The news: Apple and Disney must accept shareholders calling for more information on their use of artificial intelligence (AI), a US regulator has ruled. Reuters has reported that a workers' union wants to ensure employees' work, voices and looks are protected from the technology.

The context: A pension trust acting on behalf of employees wants Apple to produce reports on how it is using AI and the ethical guidelines. The pension trust will put the motion forward at Apple's annual general meeting. Apple and Disney had not begun to grapple with the ethical issues, according to the employee group. Many workers in creative industries are worried they could be replaced by the technology. Hollywood actors and writers in 2023 went on strike for months to try and win protection from AI as well as other measures.

What they said: Apple and Disney argued the AI proposals did not need to be included in the annual meetings because they were about ordinary business operations. The Securities and Exchange Commission said: "the proposal transcends ordinary business matters and does not seek to micromanage the company".