Canva, Atlassian Employees Seek Union Protection Amid AI Job Fears
Australian Financial Review
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Details
- Date Published
- 21 May 2025
- Priority Score
- 2
- Australian
- Yes
- Created
- 22 May 2025, 07:59 pm
Description
The increasing interest in tech-based unions comes after both companies unveiled new AI policies.
Summary
The article highlights a growing concern among employees at major Australian technology companies Canva and Atlassian about the potential impact of AI on job security. This fear has prompted an increase in union memberships among workers seeking protection and advocacy against potential job displacement due to AI advancements. The piece underscores the broader tension between technological progress and employment stability, emphasizing how AI deployment strategies might pose existential risks to traditional job roles. As such, this development is relevant to discussions on AI policy and governance, notably within the context of labor rights and protection against catastrophic impacts on employment industries.
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TechnologyStart-upsPrint articleAmelia McGuireBusiness reporterUpdatedMay 23, 2025 – 10.56am,first published at9.00amSaveLog inorSubscribeto save articleShareCopy linkCopiedEmailLinkedInTwitterFacebookCopy linkCopiedShare via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber?LoginWorkers’ fears about losing their jobs to artificial intelligence bots have led to a surge in union membership at the country’s two highest-profile technology companies,CanvaandAtlassian.Since December, more than 100 employees of the companies have signed up forProfessionals Australia, the union that represents the bulk of the local technology industry. This is a fraction of the tens of thousands of people Canva and Atlassian employ, but it reflects growing fissures between technology bosses and their employees over AI deployment.Loading...Amelia McGuirecovers technology from the AFR's Sydney newsroom. She was previously the aviation, tourism and gambling reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect withAmeliaonTwitter.EmailAmeliaata.mcguire@afr.com.auSaveLog inorSubscribeto save articleShareCopy linkCopiedEmailLinkedInTwitterFacebookCopy linkCopiedShare via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber?LoginLicense articleFollow the topics, people and companies that matter to you.Find out moreRead MoreStart-upsAtlassianCanvaTrade unionsVenture capitalAFR WeekendAIJobsFetching latest articlesThe top whisky you can buy without going on a waiting listMax AllenThe luxury travel trend you probably haven’t consideredThe restaurant that’s turning back the clock (in the best way)This CEO lives in Sydney, works in Melbourne. Lucky she runs WebjetPatrick DurkinThis female CEO has gender targets for men tooWhy you should feel uncomfortable in your job 20pc of the timeNude swim, anyone? The arts events to see in JuneMichael BaileyOur wine writer meets his match in a NZ gorgeHoliday essentials including a Chanel handboard and a miracle serum‘Problem, what problem?’ Developer Max Beck talks up Melbourne marketSarah PettyAirwallex secures one of the country’s biggest funding rounds everCanva co-founder pledges to give away half of his $7b fortune