New poll reveals rising worker anxiety about AI

Thursday, 5 February 2026 23:16

Businesses are warning proposed changes in NSW will give unions "spy powers", to sift through the emails of every company, cafe and corner store in the state.

New polling tonight has exposed rising worker anxiety about the expanding use of artificial intelligence, as both the federal and state governments push to regulate the emerging technology

The Redbridge poll published by Unions NSW today shows 29 per cent of workers report being monitored by AI.

Another 24 per cent say AI is doing their rosters and 38 per cent think the risks of AI outweigh the benefits.

The vast majority of those polled - 69 per cent - support tougher rules.

It's something both the federal government and NSW state government are both trying to push through.

Under new powers that have already passed the NSW parliament lower house, unions will be able to demand access to a business' AI software.

"They're entitled to ask, if it's not provided by an employer, then a court determines it," NSW Premier Chris Minns said in parliament today.

But businesses are warning the changes would give unions "spy powers" to sift through the emails of every company, cafe and corner store in the state.

Bran Black from the Business Council of Australia warned it would give unions personal data employees might not want them to have access to.

"It is dangerous in the context of the access that it affords to union officials," Black told 9News.

"To personal data, to emails, to HR systems, to payroll systems, to confidential information."

Businesses fear it would over-regulate AI and scare off investors, as well as delaying major housing and infrastructure projects. The laws are expected to pass through the upper house next week.

'Specific AI tax' for reskilling

The federal government has the first phase of an AI plan but everyone in Parliament House acknowledges the plan will need to change as the technology changes, and that will require a new level of agility.

"As we look to greater take up of AI in the workplace, that needs to be worked through with workers and unions," Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said.

While AI promises increased productivity, it will also bring disruption, lay-offs and the need for reskilling or retraining.

"What we know is, if AI is done the right way and workers are involved you get much better outcomes," Australian Council of Trade Unions president Michele O'Neil told 9News.

The Albanese government has made fee-free TAFE a cornerstone of two campaigns - hoping to address the skills shortage in technology and AI sectors - as governments around the world weigh up what's next.

Tech pioneer Bill Gates says from the victor should come the spoils.

"You might have a specific AI tax to raise money from the winners to support the losers," Gates told Nine's Charles Croucher this week.

The unions say all options should be considered.

"They need to pay for the intellectual property they're sometimes stealing," O'Neil said.

"But they also should pay for the training, and pay for the jobs they're creating."

Black said we haven't yet seen the "significant disruption as a consequence of artificial intelligence in the work place", in terms of jobs.

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