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A recent survey reveals that 24% of respondents report that AI is responsible for managing their schedules, while 38% believe the dangers of AI surpass its advantages.
A significant 69% of those surveyed advocate for stricter regulations on AI technology.
Both the federal and New South Wales governments are actively working to implement these tougher regulations.
Legislation recently passed in the lower house of the NSW parliament grants unions the authority to request access to AI software used by businesses.
“If an employer does not provide this information, unions have the right to request it, and if necessary, a court will make the determination,” stated NSW Premier Chris Minns during a parliamentary session today.
But businesses are warning the changes would give unions “spy powers” to sift through the emails of every company, cafe and corner store in the state.
Bran Black from the Business Council of Australia warned it would give unions personal data employees might not want them to have access to.
“It is dangerous in the context of the access that it affords to union officials,” Black told 9News.
“To personal data, to emails, to HR systems, to payroll systems, to confidential information.”
Businesses fear it would over-regulate AI and scare off investors, as well as delaying major housing and infrastructure projects. The laws are expected to pass through the upper house next week.
‘Specific AI tax’ for reskilling
The federal government has the first phase of an AI plan but everyone in Parliament House acknowledges the plan will need to change as the technology changes, and that will require a new level of agility.
“As we look to greater take up of AI in the workplace, that needs to be worked through with workers and unions,” Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said.
While AI promises increased productivity, it will also bring disruption, lay-offs and the need for reskilling or retraining.
“What we know is, if AI is done the right way and workers are involved you get much better outcomes,” Australian Council of Trade Unions president Michele O’Neil told 9News.
The Albanese government has made fee-free TAFE a cornerstone of two campaigns – hoping to address the skills shortage in technology and AI sectors – as governments around the world weigh up what’s next.
Tech pioneer Bill Gates says from the victor should come the spoils.
“You might have a specific AI tax to raise money from the winners to support the losers,” Gates told Nine’s Charles Croucher this week.
The unions say all options should be considered.
“They need to pay for the intellectual property they’re sometimes stealing,” O’Neil said.
“But they also should pay for the training, and pay for the jobs they’re creating.”
Black said we haven’t yet seen the “significant disruption as a consequence of artificial intelligence in the work place”, in terms of jobs.
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