Union warns against rush to roll out AI in public sector

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 29 Oct, 18:38 · Archive

Australia's leading public service union wants AI implementation in government to be carefully managed with workers at the centre.

The Community and Public Service Union is advocating for a considered rollout of artificial intelligence in Australian government agencies, with a federal inquiry set to hear evidence on Friday. Rebecca Fawcett, the union's new leader, will submit evidence warning that predicted benefits from AI should be tempered and that workers must be central to any implementation.

Ms Fawcett has cautioned against governments misinterpreting increased capacity through AI as an opportunity for budget savings. The union fears government costs could actually increase with no reasonable return on investment. It points to recent UK government analysis that estimated billions in savings through automating public service delivery without verifying whether existing AI models were capable of delivering such results.

"A focus on efficiency must not come at the expense of lawful, accurate decision making and reliable public services," Ms Fawcett said in her submission. The union called for a sovereign AI capability to ensure Australian data remained onshore with safeguards against overseas access. This follows warnings from the Australian Signals Directorate about an impending wave of AI-driven cyber attacks, with the agency anticipating substantial work would be needed to safeguard government systems.

Union warns against rush to roll out AI in public sector — Image: Perth Now

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How it is being reported

Union wants considered rollout of AI to temper concernsWorkers must be at the centre of artificial intelligence implementation in the public sector, a union leader warns as a federal inquiry hears further evidence.Perth Now · 29 Oct, 18:04
Union wants considered rollout of AI to temper concernsWorkers must be at the centre of artificial intelligence implementation in the public sector, a union leader warns as a federal inquiry hears further evidence.The West Australian · 29 Oct, 18:04

In this story: Community and Public Service Union · Rebecca Fawcett · Australian Signals Directorate · Australia

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