We've had the doomsday predictions about jobs. Here's how AI could benefit workers

Artificial intelligence is already transforming the world of work as we know it, no matter what industry you work in.

- Paul Nowak

Across every sector, from healthcare to hospitality, technology is being used to make life-changing decisions for workers, affecting how people are hired, performance-managed or fired.

This impact on the workplace only stands to grow. Coupled with doomsday predictions about widespread job losses, it is little wonder that so many workers are concerned about their jobs being lost or displaced.

But it doesn't have to be this way. Unmanaged disruption is neither inevitable nor acceptable. AI can be harnessed to the benefit of all workers. But to do so, its rapid proliferation must be met with an equally urgent policy response, and workers must be front and centre.

Here's what needs to happen.

First, we need to make sure our labour laws keep up with the breakneck speed of technological change. AI-powered technologies, with inbuilt biases, are analysing facial expressions, tone of voice and accents to assess candidates' suitability for roles. Left unchecked, it's a recipe for disaster.

No one should be hired and fired by algorithm - there must be human involvement in such decisions. It's vital we chart a different approach, including meaningful consultation with workers about the impact of AI, and what it will mean for jobs, recruitment, skills and retraining.