Opposition leader Angus Taylor vows to ‘get the balance right’ on AI amid job fears

Angus Taylor has vowed to “get the balance right” on artificial intelligence amid fears of job losses as the technology revolutionises sectors across the economy.

The Opposition Leader said on Monday that “AI can be useful” and its benefits were self-evident, given Australia’s uptake.

“People are seeing that every day. They’re using it all the time,” he told Nine’s Today.

“On the other hand, we don’t want it to control us. So, we’ve got to get the balance right.

“We’ve got to … make sure the copyright laws are right so it’s not stealing from Australian creators and creatives – that’s incredibly important.”

In 2024, global consultancy firm McKinsey, which employed Mr Taylor at the turn of century, estimated 1.3 million Australian workers could be forced to transition into entirely new roles by 2030 due to AI.

That represented some 9 per cent of the country’s total workforce at the time.

However, research from the government’s independent science agency released this year found employers leaning into AI were posting 36 per cent more job ads than those not adopting the technology.

Mr Taylor said the productivity boosts from AI would in turn push wages up.

“That’s how we get prosperity so we’ve got to use it for our benefit – not have it use us for its benefit,” Mr Taylor said.

“We do believe in raising standards of living. We know technology can help that, but that means it has to be used for our benefit.”

Mr Taylor’s comments on striking the right balance signalled a more hands-on approach to what opposition digital economy spokesman Aaron Violi pitched at a conference last month.

Hailing Australia as “a brilliant adopter of technology”, Mr Violi warned “the next era of economic growth will not reward passive consumption”.

“It will reward the creators, the builders, and the founders,” he said.

In a call to “prioritise Australian science and our research and development”, he said wrapping AI in red tape risked hamstringing economic ambition.

“I want to see innovators like those in this room spending less time on bureaucracy, paperwork, and compliance, and more time building the technology that will drive our nation’s productivity,” Mr Violi said.

“If our regulatory signals are confusing or wrapped in green and red tape, global capital will simply bypass our shores.

“We must create a predictable, attractive fiscal environment that welcomes international investment.”

Addressing the NSW Labor State Conference on Sunday, Anthony Albanese told party faithful Australia could “set the ground rules for AI”.

“We can shape the future, not let the future shape us. We can secure new jobs and investment. We can build our sovereignty and our resilience,” the Prime Minister said.

“And we can do it the Labor way, the Australian way, without undercutting conditions, dividing communities or damaging our environment.

“Technology may change the way Australians work – but Labor’s commitment to a fair go at work will never change.”