Calling for a balanced and non-legislative approach on AI at work
HOTREC has joined a broad coalition of employers and business organisations in calling on the European Parliament to reject the legislative annex of the own-initiative report on Digitalisation, Artificial Intelligence and Algorithmic Management in the Workplace.
European hospitality businesses are fully committed to the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence in the workplace. AI can support better workforce planning, improve service quality, and help address labour and skills shortages, provided it is deployed in a clear and predictable regulatory environment.
The EU already has a comprehensive legal framework governing the use of AI at work, notably through the AI Act, the GDPR, and existing labour and social legislation. Hospitality businesses across Europe, the vast majority of which are SMEs, are currently investing significant resources to comply with these rules. Introducing additional legislative requirements at this stage would add complexity, risk regulatory overlap, and undermine legal certainty.
At a time when the EU is seeking to boost competitiveness, reduce administrative burdens and simplify legislation, new prescriptive measures on AI at work would run counter to these objectives. Over-regulation risks slowing down responsible AI adoption, fragmenting the Digital Single Market, and limiting the sector’s ability to invest in innovation, skills and quality jobs.
Instead, employers call for a non-legislative approach that prioritises effective implementation and enforcement of existing rules, supported by clear guidance and strong social dialogue. This approach would better enable businesses and workers to harness the benefits of AI while ensuring high standards of worker protection.
HOTREC therefore urges Members of the European Parliament to delete references to legislative follow-up in the report and to reject the legislative annex, focusing instead on implementation, enforcement and support measures that deliver real value for workers and businesses alike.