ABC News Daily Do we need laws to stop AI taking your job?
9 snips
Aug 31, 2025 Toby Walsh, Chief Scientist at the AI Institute of the University of New South Wales, delves into the transformative potential of AI on Australia’s economy. He discusses how AI could inject over a hundred billion dollars if leveraged correctly. However, he raises a crucial question: will automation displace countless jobs? The conversation touches on navigating worker protections, the role of unions, and whether regulations are necessary to balance economic growth with job security in this new AI-driven landscape.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
AI Replaces Routine Work
- AI can already perform many routine tasks and do increasing amounts of people's jobs.
- It lacks emotional, social intelligence and common sense, limiting some roles.
History Isn't A Guarantee
- Historical tech shifts both destroyed and created jobs, usually creating more than they removed.
- There's no guarantee AI will follow that pattern because it can replace unique human capabilities.
Middle-Office Jobs At Risk
- Jobs that are repetitive, middle-office or digital tasks are most vulnerable to AI.
- Office roles like customer service, graphic design and entry-level programming are surprisingly exposed.