Victorian workers are at risk of artificial intelligence diminishing their rights, wages and working conditions. Victorian unions are advocating for the Government to make workers' rights a key priority in AI regulation.
On September 5th, the Australian Government published a set of proposed 'guardrails' for regulating AI. Our submission is in response to that proposal paper - ensuring that workers voice is front and centre in AI regulation.
VTHC's submission identifies key areas in which the guardrails need to be improved in order to protect workers.
Australian workers do not trust how employers are using artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace. The Stanford AI Index 2024 ranks Australians as one of the most AI-sceptical populations in the world - only 44% consider AI’s benefits to outweigh the risks. 90% of Australians support the establishment of a new regulatory body for AI and 66% support a total pause on worldwide AI development.
Australian workers and their unions have bargained, fought for and won a range of protections that ensure their dignity at work, but workplace surveillance, artificial intelligence and automation are threatening all of these.
Victorian Trades Hall Council makes the following key recommendations:
- Establish a National AI Authority
- Introduce a Charter of Rights for Natural Persons Impacted by AI and Automated Decisions
- Introduce Workplace AI Risk Assessments
- Prohibit Unacceptably Risky Forms of AI Use
- Prohibit AI in Industrial Relations
- Ensure Union Oversight over Workplace AI Systems
- Codify AI Disclosures Requirements
- Narrow Exemptions for Disclosure Requirements
- Legislate Penalties against Employers Misusing AI
- Establish a Public Register for High-Risk AI