ACTU Boss Sally McManus Backs Sovereign AI to Avoid Job Cuts
Australian Financial Review
ENRICHED
Details
- Date Published
- 2 June 2026
- Priority Score
- 2
- Australian
- Yes
- Created
- 4 June 2026, 08:01 am
Description
ACTU secretary Sally McManus will push for government to co-ordinate the development of local artificial intelligence models as a way to protect jobs.
Summary
ACTU secretary Sally McManus argues for the development of Australian sovereign AI models to counteract the influence of US-based tech giants and mitigate mass job displacement. The proposal emphasizes a pro-worker governance framework that allows the Australian government to maintain control over how frontier AI capabilities are integrated into the domestic workforce. While focused primarily on economic security, the push for state-coordinated AI development touches on sovereign control as a mechanism to manage the societal risks posed by rapid AI deployment. This movement represents a significant local policy intervention aimed at shaping the safety and oversight standards of AI implementation within Australian industry.
Body
Work & CareersWorkplaceAIPrint articleDavid Marin-GuzmanWorkplace correspondentJun 2, 2026 – 5.00amThe ACTU will push for the Albanese government to develop pro-worker sovereign artificial intelligence as a way to protect work and secure jobs and stop US tech giants “running roughshod” over workplaces.In an opinion piece published in The Australian Financial Review, ACTU secretary Sally McManus warned AI was on track to undermine jobs and degrade work but that building the country’s own AI capabilities would let the country “call the shots” on the technology to avoid mass displacement.Loading...SaveLog in or Subscribe to 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 MoreAIWorkplace disputesAustralian Council of Trade Unions Sally McManusOpenAIAnthropicFetching latest articles