On 22 January 2025, one of Italy’s first strikes against the replacement of workers with artificial intelligence took place in Genoa. This was announced by the Ligurian regional branches of Filt Cgil, Fit Cisl, and Uiltrasporti, which called for an eight-hour work stoppage at the Ligurian office of the shipping company Maersk following the dismissal of four employees from the customer support service, announced on 17 January. During the strike, workers held a three-hour demonstration in front of the company’s headquarters.
Union representatives claim the workforce reduction is due to two main factors: the outsourcing of part of the dismissed employees’ tasks to the Philippines and the delegation of other responsibilities to AI. Customer support, the sector affected, is considered one of the fastest-growing areas for AI deployment. The unions also highlighted the contrast between the recent recognition these employees received for their long service to Maersk and their abrupt dismissal.
The unions are demanding the reinstatement of the four employees and have criticised Maersk for its lack of willingness to explore alternative solutions, such as redeploying the affected workers to other departments. In response to the dispute, Genoa’s Labour Councillor, Mario Mascia, has convened a meeting at Palazzo Tursi with union representatives and Maersk Italia’s leadership.
The Danish shipping giant has been actively advancing its use of artificial intelligence, particularly through its Maersk Growth division, which focuses on research and technological innovation. AI is already being employed in Maersk’s support functions, such as booking management and order modifications. In the maritime sector, the company is exploring AI applications to optimise port operations and vessel routing, with aims to reduce travel times and fuel consumption. Additionally, Maersk has recently implemented an AI-powered robotics solution in a UK-based logistics platform as part of its broader focus on supply chain innovation.
