Other workplace technology definitions

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In addition to core technology categories, contracts often define emerging or specialized terms that have unique implications for workers. These include technologies like digital voice or image replicas, AI-generated models, self-service kiosks, and distance learning systems. By clarifying these terms, agreements can set appropriate boundaries for their use and establish safeguards around consent, likeness, and job function.

Examples: 

• “This [surveillance and monitoring] Article applies to computer monitoring (including but not limited to keystroke monitoring, email access monitoring, and browser history retrieval), and individual or workplace monitoring (including but not limited to video or audio monitoring, covert surveillance, proximity cards, or other devices or technology attached to or directed at the person, including the ID badge, clothing, or uniform of a RN, or at particular areas where RNs work).” (NNU-OPM37)
• “This [surveillance] article covers, but is not limited to: camera, video, microphone, access card swipes, telephone, cellphone, computer, and other electronic devices.” (AFGE-OPM93)
• “(a) An ‘Employment Based Digital Replica’ is a replica of the voice or likeness of the performer that is created: (i) in connection with employment on a motion picture under this Agreement; (ii) using digital technology; (iii) with the performer’s physical participation; and (iv) is for the purpose of portraying the performer in photography or sound track in which the performer did not actually perform. (b) An ‘Independently Created Digital Replica’ is a digitally-created asset that is: (i) intended to create, and does create, the clear impression that the asset is a natural performer whose voice and/or likeness is recognizable as the voice and/or likeness of an identifiable natural performer; (ii) performing in the role of a character (and not as the natural performer himself/herself); and (iii) no employment arrangement for the motion picture in which the Independently Created Digital Replica will be used exists with the natural performer in the role being portrayed by the asset.” (SAG-AFTRA-PCBA2)
• “‘Voice Model’ means a computer-generated AI-model or an electronic creation or recreation of a voice or voices, created using new or existing Recordings or data files, that can be used to synthesize speech. “Foundational Voice Model” (or “Base Model”) means a Voice Model trained on large volumes of anonymized data files that does not have individually-identifiable unique characteristics (such as sound, tone, rhythm, or cadence) that remain consistent and recognizable when used to synthesize speech. A Foundational Voice Model is not intended to be user-facing.” (SAG-AFTRA-PCBA68)
• “A digital replica is a digital model of a bargaining unit employee’s voice or likeness that can be used to independently generate newly created and previously unrecorded audio content or audio-visual content in an employee’s recognizable voice (i.e., new dialogue not previously recorded by the employee) or recognizable likeness (i.e., visual content not previously recorded by the employee).” (WGAE-PCBA65)
• “A [U-Scan] ‘unit’ is defined as a bank with one to four self-scanners.” (UFCW-PCBA57)
• “For the purpose of this Article, Distance Learning (DL) is defined as follows: Distance learning is a formal mode of interaction which uses one or more technologies to deliver instruction to students who are separated from the instructor and which supports regular and substantive interaction between the students and instructor, and student-to-student, either synchronously or asynchronously.” (AFT-PCBA106)
• “Distance Education means instruction in which the instructor and student are separated by distance and interact through the assistance of communication technology. A distance education course/section or session is defined as the use of technology utilized 51 percent or more of the time to deliver instruction during the course term and where the student and instructor are separated by distance. The delivery of instruction in the distance education modality can use the Internet, email, video and class lecture to deliver instruction (hybrid course). However, if the use of the combined mediated technology is 50 percent or less, or the student and instructor are not separated by distance, the course/section/session is considered a classroom-based traditional course/section/session.” (AFT-PCBA107)

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