Major Australian employers including Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Microsoft, Telstra and Kmart have shared their experiences of deploying artificial intelligence (AI) at work as the government develops its first best practice guidance for AI in Australian workplaces, HRD reported.
The government-hosted roundtable brought together employers including AGL, Blackmores Group and Ramsay Health Care to discuss how organisations can adopt AI while sharing its benefits with workers and building confidence in the technology.
Focus on responsible AI adoption
Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth said, "The lessons shared today will help inform Australia's first tripartite Best Practice AI Guidance and make sure it reflects the realities of modern workplaces.”
The roundtable examined the foundations of best-practice AI adoption, including how organisations can ensure workers and employers benefit from the technology. Participants also discussed strategies for effective and inclusive change management.
Building workers' trust and confidence as AI becomes more embedded in workplaces was another key focus, alongside ways to encourage and support responsible AI adoption.
Government seeks workplace input
The roundtable forms part of five government consultations involving unions, employers, small businesses, employer peak bodies and academics. Feedback from the consultations will contribute to the development of Australia's first Best Practice Guidance for AI in the workplace.
Rishworth said, "What we are working on is what does best practice look like when adopting AI in workplaces?" she told ABC's Radio National Breakfast.
"If business and workers are going to have the confidence to embrace the benefits that come with AI, we need to look at what does best practice in that adoption mean,” she added.
AI expected to augment work
The government's consultation comes as Australian workplaces assess how AI will affect jobs and skills.
Findings from Jobs and Skills Australia in 2025 indicated that AI tools are more likely to augment work than replace workers, with the technology expected to enhance workers' ability to complete tasks.
The guidance is expected to provide a framework for organisations navigating AI adoption while addressing workforce concerns around change, trust, skills and the distribution of benefits.