Embedding responsible AI principles key to winning in age of AI, CPO says

In 2026, the “AI productivity winners” aren’t going to be the companies that can automate the fastest, one chief people officer says – it will be those that are proactive about the embedding of ethical principles for AI use.

In early December, the Albanese government released its National AI Plan, which – among other things – aims to capture the opportunities, including attracting investment in Australia’s digital and physical infrastructure, support local capability, position Australia as a leading destination for future AI investment, and keep Australians safe, including through setting up the recently announced AI Safety Institute to monitor, test and share information on emerging AI capabilities, risks and harms, which builds on our commitment to robust legal, regulatory, and ethical frameworks and engaging internationally to protect rights and build trust.

In a statement at the time, Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science Tim Ayres said the National AI Plan is about making sure technology serves Australians, not the other way around.

“This plan is focused on capturing the economic opportunities of AI, sharing the benefits broadly, and keeping Australians safe as technology evolves. AI will help close gaps in essential services, improve education and employment outcomes, and create well-paid jobs in future industries,” he said.

“Guided by the plan, the government will ensure that AI delivers real and tangible benefits for all Australians. As the technology continues to evolve, we will continue to refine and strengthen this plan to seize new opportunities and act decisively to keep Australians safe.”

Reflecting on the changing political and technological landscape, one chief people officer said that it will be the companies that prioritise ethical use of AI, rather than those that simply move to automate the fastest, whose productivity gains will be most noticeable.

In the face of the federal government’s decision to greenlight AI development and the Tech Council’s prediction of 200,000 AI jobs made by 2030, HiBob chief people officer Nirit Peled-Muntz (pictured) said, the must-have tools for businesses won’t just be the ones that automate tasks.

“They’ll be the ones strengthening trust and supporting more human-centred leadership,” she said.

“With the government’s approach of avoiding heavy-handed regulation, businesses have a unique opportunity to set their own standards for responsible AI use.”

The productivity winners in 2026 won’t just automate tasks, Peled-Muntz continued, but embed responsible AI principles.

“Clear explanations, bias prevention, and ethical decision-making logic will be key to greater productivity, enabling people to understand how technology is influencing their work,” she said.

“Technology should serve people, not replace them, and small businesses have a real opportunity to lead with this mindset.”

When leaders use AI to create clarity and psychological safety, Peled-Muntz concluded, “teams feel grounded and empowered”.

“The businesses that pair accessible automation with trust-first leadership will be the ones that unlock meaningful, sustainable productivity gains,” she said.