Rescue package to shield workers from AI-driven cuts
Workers facing the threat of job loss due to artificial intelligence will be protected by a multimillion-dollar guarantee state government bailout.
The Victorian government announced a $14 million plan on Sunday, which includes $8.2 million for a career recovery plan designed to support workers in at-risk sectors.
While the adoption of artificial intelligence is expected to increase productivity, there are widespread concerns that the technology could also be used to eliminate many jobs.
“It’s always been the Labor Party’s way of ensuring that workers are supported in times of transition (and) in times of transition when they know their jobs are being disrupted by external forces,” Prime Minister Jacinta Allan said on Sunday.
“So we are focusing on both providing support to affected employees and looking at how we can train future workers so they are ready to work in the AI workforce.”
The package aims to accelerate at-risk workers into specialist AI and other technology roles before similar technology makes them redundant.
The head of Anthropic, the world’s most valuable AI-focused startup, said the technology could cause unemployment to rise by up to 20 percent.
An ANU survey published in April found almost a third of Australians were worried machines would replace them.
The survey was conducted after local tech enthusiast Atlassian cut 1,600 jobs, including 500 in Australia, citing changes in AI workforce needs.
The state government’s move is expected to support more than 6,200 Victorians upskilling.
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