As artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly transforms workplaces around the world, Osgoode Hall Law School, in partnership with Unifor, hosted the Artificial Intelligence at Work International Conference on January 22–23, 2026. The event brought together scholars, labour leaders, policymakers, and legal practitioners from around the globe to examine how AI is reshaping work, employment relationships, and labour regulation.
Organized by Professor Valerio De Stefano, Canada Research Chair in Innovation, Law and Society, the conference tackled pressing questions around algorithmic management, workplace surveillance, and collective responses to emerging technologies.
“Artificial intelligence is already reshaping how work is organised, monitored, and governed,” said De Stefano. “At this moment of rapid technological change, we need legal and institutional frameworks that ensure these systems are fair, protect fundamental labour rights, and give workers a meaningful say in how AI is used in their workplaces.”
Across two days, participants from leading institutions worldwide explored the legal and practical challenges posed by AI, including its impact on hiring, job design, discipline, and worker representation. Discussions emphasised the need for transparency, accountability, and evidence-based policy to ensure technology enhances fairness rather than deepening inequalities.
Reflecting on Osgoode’s role in convening this global dialogue, Dean Trevor Farrow noted that the conference “demonstrates Osgoode’s long-time expertise and impact in labour and employment law, and its leadership at the intersection of law, technology, and work. Bringing global experts together ensures the dialogue is informed by both research and real‑world practice.”
Associate Dean of Research François Tanguay‑Renaud highlighted the scholarly impact, observing that “the discussions advance critical research on technology regulation and workers’ rights, supporting evidence-based approaches to AI governance.”
Conference recordings are now available online.