Unions Push for Workers’ Right to Refuse AI

Unions are urging that workers should have the right to reject artificial intelligence tools in certain roles, arguing this could protect the public and support responsible use.

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Pick & Scroll News
June 16, 2025

Unions are urging that workers should have the right to reject artificial intelligence tools in certain roles, arguing this could protect the public and support responsible use. However, the push may conflict with the government's current business-focused approach to AI regulation.


This call comes as Australia gets ready for an important productivity roundtable where AI will play a central role. While the government views AI as a key driver of economic growth, particularly for boosting productivity, union leaders are urging a more cautious approach. They raise concerns about how AI could affect job quality and workers' rights.


The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has proposed that employees be allowed to refuse the use of AI in jobs where misuse could cause serious harm, such as in healthcare. This proposal is part of a wider policy that also calls for AI providers to be held accountable under workplace laws and for collective bargaining rights to include data use and automation. These demands go further than simply asking for transparency and training, reflecting growing unease about how new technologies will be used in everyday working environments.


In contrast, the government is taking a more positive view of AI. The upcoming roundtable, which is limited to about 25 participants, will focus mainly on business outcomes and national productivity. However, tension is rising as unions push for stronger rules and oversight to make sure AI is introduced in ways that benefit all workers, not just employers or tech companies.


Union groups warn that without regulatory change, AI could be used to increase workloads, limit rights or invade privacy. This is especially concerning in sectors that already use technology to monitor performance or discipline employees. As this debate continues, Australia is facing one of the core workplace questions of the digital age. The challenge is how to gain the benefits of AI without reducing workers' control and protections.