As the digital landscape further expands due to technological development, AI is becoming relevant and being embraced by many companies due to the benefits it grants. Despite the positive benefits that artificial intelligence grants, the regular workforce is in danger of being replaced by artificial intelligence and automated systems.

In order to solve this rising issue, the Australian government is looking to protect employees from the effects of AI through the creation of a regulatory body that monitors AI and automated systems, as well as retraining and upskilling the current and future workforce to coexist with AI technologies.

The Australian protection

In the efforts to respond and provide a solution to the potentially disruptive effects of artificial intelligence (AI) and automated systems on the job market, the Australian government is considering taking measures to enhance employee job security further. 

The Labour Party, together with the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), as of the moment, is in the process of forming a plan in order to regulate the critical effects that AI have now in the present and the past. One critical characteristic of this plan includes retraining and upskilling the current workforce about AI-related technologies, thus granting the current workforce the capability to adapt to the changes in the modern workplace and reducing the chance of being replaced or becoming a redundant part of the workforce. 

In order to establish oversight, the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) further recommends that a regulatory body or organisation that will oversee and manage the development and advancements of automation and AI. This regulatory body will have the critical responsibility of monitoring the effects of AI on the job market while ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to safeguard workers’ interests.

Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke announced these proposed changes during a National Press Club address. Making emphasis on the government’s intention to provide opportunities for employees to learn and utilise AI technologies, thereby integrating AI into the workforce and minimising disruptions. The minister acknowledged the inevitability of technological change and stressed the importance of preparing employees to work alongside AI rather than be displaced by it.

The approach to coexistence

However, AI technology has had extensive development and grants quite a lot of benefits. To strike a balance, the Australian Labour Party’s stance has been modified. Now, the party’s aim is to support the current and future workforce by granting them the necessary capabilities and skills through upskilling and reskilling.

This is so that the current workforce is capable of maintaining their current employment status or perhaps changing to other secure and paying jobs. Thus, the Labour Party is requesting for many employers and businesses to take an active role in the skill development of their employees.

All in all, the efforts of establishing an oversight group and upskilling the workforce is essentially a necessary action in order to reach a certain objective. Essentially, the main objective of these efforts is to establish a balance between technology and job security.

By regulating the use of AI and automated systems, the government is able to make sure it is not used for malicious purposes or by making sure it does not disrupt the job market. By granting the employees the skills to work and function alongside AI, in order to support or boost one another. At the same time, the Australian government is aiming to have a smooth transfer of an AI-augmented workplace while mitigating the negative effects in the large job market.

Jomar Teves

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After four years in business school and working for multinational clients, Jomar believes he can improve the world through his writings via Public Spectrum, by informing the public on the latest news and updates happening around the government and society. Jomar has eight years experience as a writer and has a degree in Business Administration and Entrepreneurial Marketing.

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