Government’s AI plan to ‘create a new generation of good, secure jobs’

As anxiety grows around the undercutting of jobs and sectors due to AI, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has finally addressed how the nation will tackle arguably the biggest ongoing threat to employment.

In a speech delivered at the University of Sydney on 15 July, a national AI framework and official Office of AI were announced, characterised as the latest reflection of Australia’s history of innovation.

Albanese said: “Today I announce that to seize and shape and share the generational opportunity that AI represents our government will establish a set of Australian Standards for AI.”

Albanese described Medicare as a statement of national ambition and a unique program that “has become one of the truest expressions of our society”, further identifying Australia as “the first country in the world where women could stand for Parliament and vote in elections”, as well as a pioneer of universal superannuation, and world leader in social media age restriction.

In this way, Albanese referenced a recent analysis of the impact of AI on the labour market, published by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, that itself is a government first globally.

As recently covered, this report revealed mixed, but thus far surprisingly positive findings.

Albanese said: “While some roles are changing, graduate employment is high. Software and tech jobs are growing. Nationwide, unemployment remains, of course, near historic lows. And participation is at record highs.”

“Our skilled and diverse workforce is just one of the reasons that the world is queuing up to invest in Australia.”

The office and framework are being formed, the Prime Minister explained, to build economic sovereignty, attract AI investment to Australia, and “because we want AI to support and create good jobs, not replace them”.

AI, Albanese said, is an opportunity to future-proof employment, the Australian economy, its sovereignty, and its reputation.

“And while the world is looking to us, we know it won’t wait for us … If we hang back, or stand still, this will run right over the top of us,” he said.

Central to this is the building of AI data centres, which, Albanese explained, can be done in a way that makes technology work for “workers and communities, for our economy and our environment, for our creative industries and media”.

The set of expectations for large data centres, Albanese furthered, will be brought into one regulatory framework, with consideration from premiers and chief ministers.

Within the goal of job growth, Albanese also noted that the terms will apply further protections for Australian artists and the media.

He said: “Australian writers, musicians, artists, and journalists must retain ownership and control of their work … no company should use Australian books, music, art or news to build or train AI without the artist’s control.”

The Australian Council of Trade Unions has praised the Prime Minister’s framework, requirements for data centres, and a more regulated approach to tech company investment.

In a statement on 15 July, the council collective said: “The new Australian Standards for AI will provide a mechanism to keep watch over AI impacts, create secure jobs and build sovereign AI capability here.”

ACTU secretary Sally McManus also noted that many Australians remain untrusting of AI because of the lack of a clear benefit and regulation.

She said: “It’s good the government is taking a more active role in AI policy and is willing to take action to ensure that it benefits Australians.”

“Data centres should pay their own way, and building data centres should not result in higher power bills for working people.”

The mandatory expectations for data centres, she continued, are a win for workers.

In the same vein, McManus praised the government’s efforts against the theft of creative works, adding: “Developers of the tech have stolen creative works and shown no regard for our values. Too many big employers have introduced AI into workplaces without transparency and used it to justify slashing jobs and undermining work conditions.”

“Australians are right to demand greater protections.”

“AI is a technology that will affect every industry and workplace, and unions have, for years, called for cross-governmental coordination of the policy response. The Office of AI will now do that.”

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