"The ACTU's demand for a union-led regulatory regime on artificial intelligence should be given short shrift. Apart from burying industry in another layer of red tape and regulation, the proposal would stifle innovation, further undermine productivity, and rob the Australian community and economy of the benefits of changing technologies," said Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the Australian Industry Group.
"The inevitable continued development of AI is not just an incredible opportunity – it's a reality that Australia must seize to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving global economy.
"AI has the potential to deliver immense benefits for businesses, workers and the broader community.
"The adoption of AI and the transformation that it will create in workplaces and the economy will of course pose some challenges for some businesses and workers, as well as opportunities. However, if we are to navigate the path ahead successfully, the last thing we need is a complicated and cumbersome regulatory regime that lets unions determine whether and in what ways Australian industry can adopt AI.
"The idea that Government procurement practices should be weaponised to regulate the adoption of AI is particularly flawed. We certainly shouldn't mis-use public money to prop-up businesses that strike union deals over the use of AI. We need to let businesses make decisions about how they run their operations, with as little impediments from Government as possible.
"The ACTU's proposal, which seeks to embed union oversight into AI implementation, must be recognised as a stalking horse for what is yet another push to increase the power and influence of union officials at the workplace.
"Ultimately, you can't regulate a job into existence, and Governments shouldn't try to. Employers must not be unreasonably prevented from making decisions about how and when AI is adopted. In some cases, worker involvement will be beneficial. In others, it simply isn't feasible let alone desirable.
"The upcoming economic roundtable must focus on tangible ways to improve productivity, not conjure up new ways to undermine it.
"The real risk is that this roundtable becomes a catalyst for a further wave of damaging, productivity-killing industrial relations changes at the direction of the union movement. Industry will be understandably frustrated if the ACTU's self-interested proposal to seize the reins on AI gets airtime while real issues – like fixing the complexity and unworkability of our workplace laws – are not even part of the discussion.
"Along with others, we are working in good faith to develop proposals at the Roundtable that will enhance prosperity for all Australians by enabling productivity growth to make us more competitive and investment friendly and to create a pathway to jobs that are relevant in a rapidly changing global environment. We hope real and tangible agreements can be reached to achieve this ambition," Mr Willox said.
