Amanda Rishworth warns employers about AI's impact on jobs, hours, and surveillance

With major corporations like Qantas and Canva shedding staff amid reorganizations driven by advancements in artificial intelligence, the government has issued a directive to businesses regarding the integration of AI. Workplace relations minister Amanda Rishworth has released a best practice guide detailing how organizations should approach AI adoption. The warning issued to employers suggests that while AI is set to automate entry-level positions first, the resulting impact on regular employees could manifest in two opposing ways: either leading to reduced working hours and increased pay, or conversely, intensifying job strain through greater burnout and heightened workplace monitoring. Ms. Rishworth stressed that employers have an obligation to provide their staff with "a clear plan" outlining precisely how automation might influence their employment, alongside offering pathways for them to transition into different positions.