Fewer hours and higher wages – or more burnout and surveillance: employers told to prepare for AI

Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth has released a best practice guide on AI adoption in the workplace amid job cuts by Qantas and Canva. The guide warns that entry-level jobs are likely to be automated first, and AI could lead to fewer hours and higher wages for workers, or create more burnout and surveillance. The guide acknowledges the potential hazards of AI, such as intrusive worker surveillance, poor rostering practices, and potential discrimination.

It also highlights that younger, older, and First Nations workers, women, and people with disabilities may face disproportionate impacts. The guide encourages employers to provide a clear plan for workers affected by automation and to offer opportunities for reskilling. Greens leader David Shoebridge criticized the government for failing to protect workers from job losses due to AI, calling for legal recourse and protection against surveillance and job cuts.