Amanda Rishworth Says Artificial Intelligence More Likely to 'Augment' Jobs Than Replace Them
ABC News
ENRICHED
Details
- Date Published
- 20 July 2026
- Priority Score
- 2
- Australian
- Yes
- Created
- 21 July 2026, 12:00 am
Description
The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations says making sure workers have skills to use AI is 'critical.'
Summary
Australian Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Amanda Rishworth emphasizes that AI will primarily serve as a tool for workforce augmentation rather than leading to mass unemployment. The federal government has established five AI priorities including a commitment to 'AI safety in the workplace,' though the focus remains heavily on economic and labor market stability. While the discussion touches on safety, it centers on socioeconomic impacts and skill development rather than addressing existential or catastrophic technical risks associated with frontier AI models. This interview highlights the current Australian political focus on domestic labor policy as a primary intersection with AI governance.
Body
Artificial intelligence is expected to feature in debate ahead of the Labor Party National Conference this week, including a focus on whether the emerging technology could cost jobs. The federal government has published a list of five AI priorities ahead of the conference - including a commitment to pursue 'AI safety in the workplace'. GUEST: Amanda Rishworth, Minister for Employment and Workplace RelationsPRODUCER: Isadora Bogle CreditsSally Sara, PresenterImage DetailsAmanda Rishworth(ABC News: Mark Moore)Program:More from Radio National BreakfastAI, Work, Employment Services, Industrial Relations, Industrial Action, Mining and Metals Industry Appears In Radio National Breakfast9itemsIn this episode1 of 9Iran launches attacks against Bahrain Duration: 5 minutes 44 seconds5m 2 of 9Andy Burnham becomes UK's 7th Prime Minister in a decadeDuration: 5 minutes 44 seconds5m 3 of 9Thousands of tonnes of illicit tobacco seized by Australian Border Force Duration: 8 minutes 27 seconds8m 4 of 9Houthis declare maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia, escalating threat to energy suppliesDuration: 4 minutes 35 seconds4m 35s5 of 9PlayingAmanda Rishworth says artificial intelligence more likely to 'augment' jobs than replace themDuration: 8 minutes 16 seconds8m 6 of 9Andrew Bragg resists criticising Alex Antic's endorsement of Malcolm RobertsDuration: 6 minutes 27 seconds6m 7 of 9Why there are calls for a national childcare commissionDuration: 6 minutes 53 seconds6m 8 of 9Changing Australia: Martin Green and revolutionising solar technology Duration: 14 minutes 3 seconds14m 9 of 9ABC's return to reporting from mainland ChinaDuration: 6 minutes 52 seconds6m