Ethics in the digital workplace
Digitisation and automation technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), can affect working conditions in a variety of ways and their use in the workplace raises a host of new ethical concerns.

The Franco-Italian semiconductor STMicroelectronics has announced plans to cut up to 2,800 jobs globally over the next three years as part of a major restructuring of its manufacturing operations.
The restructuring will affect sites in France, Italy, Malta, and Singapore. The workforce reduction will be carried out exclusively through voluntary measures in consultation with employee representatives. The move comes as ST aims to modernize its facilities, increase automation, and improve efficiency.
Despite the layoffs, the company is continuing to invest in strategic sites across Europe, including major expansions in Agrate and Catania, Italy, and Crolles, France. The restructuring is part of ST's broader strategy to streamline operations and deliver cost savings amid challenging conditions in the automotive and industrial semiconductor markets.
The group has 14 production sites (Italy, France, Singapore, Sweden, Morocco, Philippines, Malaysia, China) and employs 49,600 people worldwide.
UPDATE 30/04/2025: It is announced that STMicroelectronics plans to cut about 1,000 jobs in France, as part of a global restructuring plan. The company intends to do this through a voluntary redundancy program.
Eurofound (2025), STMicroelectronics, Internal restructuring in World, factsheet number 202674, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://dev.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/202674.