Unions warn of workers' rights risks as AI adoption accelerates

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 23:20 · Archive

Australian unions have told a federal parliamentary inquiry that artificial intelligence poses safety and employment risks unless subject to stronger guardrails.

Australian unions have raised concerns about artificial intelligence adoption at a federal parliamentary inquiry, warning that workers risk becoming "hostages to the algorithm" without adequate protections.

The Transport Workers' Union national secretary Michael Kaine warned of potential fatalities if autonomous vehicles replace human drivers, particularly for hazardous transport such as oil tankers. He said technology companies were prioritising profits over road safety. The union commissioned a poll in May finding that seven in ten of 1,506 people surveyed opposed fully automated taxis and trucks on Australian roads.

Kaine also highlighted fatigue and surveillance as workplace safety concerns. He said AI systems demanding maximum productivity beyond regulated shift work could endanger employees, and that workers faced "invisible managers" monitoring and disciplining them.

Labor senator Tony Sheldon and the National Farmers Federation general manager Michael Pyres supported the need for guardrails, with Pyres stating that "AI should not be a substitute for appropriate and accountable management of fair treatment of work". Australian software company Atlassian argued that regulations should reflect how AI would transform organisations and workers in the global economy.

How it is being reported

• Unions decry loss of workers' rights amid rise of AIFrom truckies to teachers, unions say workers must be prioritised over bots to protect their rights and safety in the rush to embrace artificial intelligence.Perth Now · 24 Oct, 22:49
• Unions decry loss of workers' rights amid rise of AIFrom truckies to teachers, unions say workers must be prioritised over bots to protect their rights and safety in the rush to embrace artificial intelligence.The West Australian · 24 Oct, 22:49

In this story: Transport Workers' Union · Michael Kaine · Tony Sheldon · National Farmers Federation · Michael Pyres · Atlassian · Australia

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