The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has warned that one in three Australian workers could be at risk of losing their jobs to Artificial Intelligence (AI) by 2030.  

A report by the Social Policy Group has found that without immediate intervention, Australians in both knowledge-based and manual work were more vulnerable to mass job losses because of AI than workers in other comparable OECD countries. 

As a result, the ACTU is calling on the federal government to intervene to protect workers, including through investment in skills training and income support for affected workers. They have also called for improved regulation of AI to ensure it is used ethically and responsibly. 

ACTU Assistant Secretary, Joseph Mitchell, highlighted the need for all workers to receive “a fair go in the digital age.” 

“The research underlines what unions have been saying for a long time: workers have a right to a strong say in the future of work. We can’t let multinationals and the biggest businesses make all the decisions on AI,” Mr Mitchell said. 

He added that workers and their unions should be involved in discussions around the future of AI, to ensure that the benefits of this innovation is spread to all Australians.  

“Workers’ rights and voices should be embedded in every government and workplace response to AI and they should be central to innovation policy going forward.” 

Unions, including the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, will use consultations with the Department of Industry, Science and Resources to argue for coordinated government action to protect all workers.