CHRO Association Senior Vice President, Practice, Policy, and Government Relations Chatrane Birbal testified before Congress on the merits of a measured, thoughtful approach to workplace AI regulation that balances the interests of employers and employees alike.
The hearing: “Building an AI-ready America: Understanding AI’s Economic Impact on Workers and Employers” was held before the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.
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Ms. Birbal testified alongside Matthew Gizzo, Ogletree Deakins; Sara Steffens, We Build Progress; and Rachel Greszler, Advancing American Freedom.
CHRO Association testimony: The Association’s full testimony highlighted the many ways employers are utilizing AI to boost productivity, efficiency, and the employee and customer experience. Ms. Birbal also highlighted the important governance procedures and safeguards employers have in place to ensure AI is integrated into the workplace using a transparent and equitable process.
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Beyond productivity and efficiency gains, “AI adoption can strengthen workforce protections by prioritizing transparency, worker engagement, and skills development,” said Ms. Birbal. “When employers take a proactive, people-centered approach—grounded in training, communication, and inclusion—AI becomes a tool for empowering workers rather than displacing them.”
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Ms. Birbal urged Congress to “engage directly with employers” before advancing consequential legislation governing AI in the workplace, and emphasized that several existing laws already govern AI use.
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Our written testimony also encouraged policymakers to adopt a framework of principles for AI legislation and regulation, including privacy and security, transparency, and integrity.
Committee focuses on innovation, job protections: In their remarks and questions, the Subcommittee members mostly focused on the importance of spurring continued AI innovation while ensuring workers are not left behind.
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Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Greg Casar (D-TX) pushed for privacy and job protections for workers, while Republican Subcommittee members cautioned against overregulating an ever-evolving technology.
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In response to a question from Committee Chair Tim Walberg (R-MI) on how the government can further guide successful and safe AI integration, Ms. Birbal emphasized the importance of timely guidance and opinion letters in lieu of rigid, one-size-fits-all legislation.
