Latest news with #BCA
ABC News
an hour ago
- Business
- ABC News
Could half of entry level white collar jobs be wiped out in the next five years?
Business council of Australia chief executive Bran Black says the AI transition is changing roles, rather than replacing them.
ABC News
8 hours ago
- Business
- ABC News
AI possibilities big for Australia
Isabella Higgins: Could Australia become a global leader in artificial intelligence? Well, the Business Council of Australia thinks so, with the right policy settings. A report released today provides a blueprint of what is needed to make that plan a reality. But not everyone is so optimistic. Unions are worried that AI without safeguards could see many Australians lose their jobs. Elizabeth Cramsie reports. Elizabeth Cramsie: Australia is a global leader when it comes to minerals and energy production. But by as soon as 2028, it also has the chance to lead the way in artificial intelligence. Bran Black: We've got a real focus on how we can go about improving skills, how we can go about sensibly approaching regulation, what we need to do to make sure that the right type of infrastructure is in place for the utilisation of AI, and then more broadly, what we can do to try and drive research and development activity in Australia. Elizabeth Cramsie: That's Bran Black, the Chief Executive of the Business Council of Australia, which has released a plan detailing how Australia could become an AI powerhouse. Bran Black: We're a safe economy, we've got secure property rights, the rule of law, etc., abundant space and natural resources. We think that data centre location is absolutely critical. We've got highly skilled researchers, and so we'd love to see Australia as a hub for research and development. Elizabeth Cramsie: The BCA says AI could hold the key to reigniting productivity growth, which it says is critical to higher living standards. The plan lists examples from intelligent logistics and streamlined services to freeing up healthcare workers from repetitive tasks. And if Australia succeeds, the economic boost could be huge. Bran Black: General projections are that it could lead to a GDP increase of anywhere between $150 billion to $600 billion for Australia each year by 2030. Elizabeth Cramsie: Toby Walsh is the Chief Scientist at the AI Institute at the University of New South Wales. Toby Walsh: The government is going to be focused on productivity, and here is a real productivity opportunity, and it sets out a detailed plan of how actually in the next three years they could achieve significant returns, as well as ensuring that it's done in a responsible way. Elizabeth Cramsie: And Toby Walsh says while it's an ambitious timeline, AI developments are coming fast. Toby Walsh: But we need to make those investments now, otherwise we won't have that infrastructure. Similarly, the skills piece, there's a big section of the report devoted to skills, and that is investing in our future. Elizabeth Cramsie: Many parts of the Australian economy are already using AI. A good example is the mining sector, which uses automated trucks and trains. But some fear there could be unrealised downsides to such a rapid shift in technologies. Joseph Mitchell is the Assistant Secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions. Joseph Mitchell: Workplace surveillance has been turbocharged by AI, tracking when and where people go to the toilet. Elizabeth Cramsie: Joseph Mitchell says unions support innovation and productivity gains, but it cannot come at the cost of workers. Joseph Mitchell: What we need to guard against is the really malicious cases, or the cases where the benefit only goes to overseas big tech companies. Elizabeth Cramsie: One of the plan's proposals is for AI courses to be introduced into schools and university courses, and a national institute dedicated to best practice for the use of artificial intelligence in the workplace. Isabella Higgins: Elizabeth Cramsie there.
Sydney Morning Herald
15 hours ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Big business says it will transform productivity. Unions say it will destroy jobs. Labor's in the middle
Big business and unions are on a collision course over Labor's plans to curb the use of artificial intelligence – a policy with potential to create another flashpoint with the Trump administration. The federal government has been mulling new laws or regulations to limit the potentially damaging effect of some automated tools, mirroring moves in Europe. The EU attracted the wrath of US Vice-President JD Vance, who said in February that 'excessive regulation of the AI sector could kill a transformative industry'. Australia's most influential corporate lobby group, the Business Council of Australia, is calling on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to shun calls for heavier regulation stemming from the ethics debates surrounding advances such as OpenAI. The argument to avoid curbs puts the business lobby on the side of Treasury secretary Steven Kennedy, who said last week that AI presented immense economic opportunities and existing regulations should be favoured instead of new rules. But unions are pushing for federal regulations to protect workers, setting up a fresh contest on industrial relations in Labor's second term. BCA boss Bran Black wants schools to teach about AI in primary school and is arguing for large boosts to research in the sector to drive up Australia's sagging rate of productivity and material living standards. Australia must avoid EU-style laws which are too broad, according to Black, a former adviser to ex-NSW premier Dominic Perrottet. 'We should always start from the premise that the application and use of AI is overwhelmingly positive and will increase our collective prosperity,' Black told this masthead. The BCA is pointing to existing applications of AI to prove its potential as an economic boon, including Commonwealth Bank using machines to read documents, BHP using the technology to manage resources and save water, and Salesforce addressing 84 per cent of customer inquiries without human involvement.
The Age
15 hours ago
- Business
- The Age
Big business says it will transform productivity. Unions say it will destroy jobs. Labor's in the middle
Big business and unions are on a collision course over Labor's plans to curb the use of artificial intelligence – a policy with potential to create another flashpoint with the Trump administration. The federal government has been mulling new laws or regulations to limit the potentially damaging effect of some automated tools, mirroring moves in Europe. The EU attracted the wrath of US Vice-President JD Vance, who said in February that 'excessive regulation of the AI sector could kill a transformative industry'. Australia's most influential corporate lobby group, the Business Council of Australia, is calling on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to shun calls for heavier regulation stemming from the ethics debates surrounding advances such as OpenAI. The argument to avoid curbs puts the business lobby on the side of Treasury secretary Steven Kennedy, who said last week that AI presented immense economic opportunities and existing regulations should be favoured instead of new rules. But unions are pushing for federal regulations to protect workers, setting up a fresh contest on industrial relations in Labor's second term. BCA boss Bran Black wants schools to teach about AI in primary school and is arguing for large boosts to research in the sector to drive up Australia's sagging rate of productivity and material living standards. Australia must avoid EU-style laws which are too broad, according to Black, a former adviser to ex-NSW premier Dominic Perrottet. 'We should always start from the premise that the application and use of AI is overwhelmingly positive and will increase our collective prosperity,' Black told this masthead. The BCA is pointing to existing applications of AI to prove its potential as an economic boon, including Commonwealth Bank using machines to read documents, BHP using the technology to manage resources and save water, and Salesforce addressing 84 per cent of customer inquiries without human involvement.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
PM interacts with cricket sensation Suryavanshi at airport, praises him
Patna: Bihar's rising cricket sensation, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, added another memorable moment to his burgeoning career on Friday when he met during the latter's two-day visit to the state. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The meeting took place at the renovated Patna airport where Vaibhav was accompanied by his family. The PM interacted warmly with the young cricketer, blessing him and praising his remarkable talent. "He is being recognised and applauded across the nation," the PM said. Posting about the meeting on X, the PM wrote, "At Patna airport, met the young cricketing sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi and his family. His cricketing skills are being admired all over the nation! My best wishes to him for his future endeavours." Speaking to TOI, Neeraj Singh, senior GM (admin) of the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA), credited BCA president Rakesh Tiwari for arranging the meeting. "In fact, when Vaibhav scored a 35-ball century in the IPL, the PMO had described him as an 'extraordinary' player in a post on X. When the PM's visit to Bihar was finalised, our president received a message from the PMO that the PM would like to meet Vaibhav. He then contacted the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for permission. Once approved, we brought Vaibhav to the airport this morning," he said. BCA president Rakesh Tiwari added, "It was not just a personal milestone for Vaibhav but also a proof of the fact that there is no dearth of talent in Bihar cricket – what is needed are the right platforms, opportunities, and positive guidance." Vaibhav has been a standout performer this season, representing Rajasthan Royals in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He scored 252 runs in seven matches at a striking rate of 206.56. Last year, he became the youngest player ever bought at an IPL auction, acquired for Rs 1.1 crore. His stellar performances continued in domestic and international cricket. He scored 71 off 42 balls on debut against Baroda in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, becoming the youngest Indian to record a List-A fifty. Internationally, he set a new benchmark for Indian youth cricket, smashing a 58-ball century in a Test match against Australia in Chennai, the fastest youth Test hundred by an Indian. Vaibhav also played a crucial role in India's campaign at the ACC U-19 Asia Cup, contributing two vital half-centuries and helping the team reach the final. He has been selected to represent India in the upcoming U-19 tour of England.
