Latest news with #ColinCassidy
ABC News
2 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
AI could be the government's productivity answer. But getting there will mean more disruption
For many Australians, artificial intelligence is already disrupting their work. Among them is voice actor Colin Cassidy, who after decades of building his career said he had his voice cloned without his consent. "It's a little bit like a redundancy which is very stressful from a mental health point of view," he said. "But it goes deeper because it's your biometric data, it's part of you." Mr Cassidy estimated his booking numbers have reduced by 30 per cent due to AI. He said the voice-over industry, which is already being hit hard by cloning, is the "canary in the coal mine". "AI is here to stay and it's going to continue to develop and put more voice overs out of work, which is a tragedy." While the full extent of future job losses from AI is not known, the World Economic Forums expects at least 9 million jobs could be displaced globally, and the nature of work for even more could change dramatically. A report from Jobs and Skills Australia this week however found AI was more likely to augment human work than replace it, highlighting the importance of people having the right digital and AI skills for a modern labour market. Modelling by non-profit organisation The Social Policy Group last year found a third of the Australian workforce could be disrupted by 2030 due to the adoption of AI. Impacted industries included agriculture, mining, manufacturing, retail trade, telecommunications and real estate services, as AI streamlines operations, automates tasks and enables data-driven decision-making. Australian businesses are already adopting AI through automating technology such as forklifts, irrigation systems and check-out systems in retail stores and supermarkets. In manufacturing, robots are increasingly helping with tasks such as assembling, packaging and distribution. AI is also listing properties, screening tenants and managing leases in real estate, as well as performing document reviews and legal research — tasks typically done by paralegals and junior lawyers. But it's these disruptions that could deliver a $116 billion productivity boost to Australia's economy, according to the Productivity Commission's estimates. Nicholas Davis is a co-director of the Human Technology Institute at the University of Technology Sydney, whose research focuses on ethical and responsible use of AI. He said potential job losses due to AI fall into two categories. "One category is where your job has a bunch of tasks that are relatively repetitive and routine and therefore can be understood and done by digital systems," Mr Davis said. "The second is people who do things that are relatively complex and valuable but for which we see specific AI applications coming out now, like voice cloning." Mr Davis said the more diverse a worker's job tasks are, the better their protection from AI. "The more that is a mix of interactive, human facing, client facing, public facing activity, the more you're probably less worried at this stage," he said. Ahead of the federal government's productivity round table next week, the Productivity Commission warned over-regulation could stifle AI's multi-billion-dollar economic potential. At the time, Treasurer Jim Chalmers welcomed the report, calling AI a "game changer" for the Australian economy. "We can chart a middle course that makes our workers and our people and our industries' beneficiaries, not victims of technological change," he said. Skills and Training Minister Andrew Giles said the government was focused on supporting Australians to make the most of the benefits of AI, "including in how people can upskill to use it in their day-to-day work". "We recognise this is a deeply complex issue. We are stepping through these issues carefully, ensuring that our approach to AI regulation is aligned with Australian values, and benefits Australians," Mr Giles said. In the past, technological advances have seen businesses expand, such as the introduction of ATMs. "The fear was that would take away bank teller jobs and it actually ended up increasing employment," Mr Davis said. "By making it easier to withdraw money, it lowered the cost of having the branch. "It meant there was an expansion of other services, including lending mortgages and other aspects that increased net employment." But Mr Davis warned it would be a mistake to assume that all productivity benefits would materialise. "We're really focused on hoping that all these benefits will occur and trying to push off the thought that maybe some of it won't," Mr Davis said. There are growing calls from unions and creative industries for better regulation of the technology to protect jobs. Unions will head into next week's round table calling for mandatory enforceable agreements that would ensure employers consult with staff before new AI technologies can be introduced. Mr Davis's research found businesses can harness greater benefits from AI if they include workers in the adoption process. "Worker engagement around AI is not a nice to have ... it's actually an essential component of realising the productivity gains from the new technology." He said there were currently "huge gaps" in privacy law and copyright intellectual law that needed to be filled. "Far from being a barrier to innovation, the organisations I speak to want regulatory certainty, they want to know what the rules are, they want to know that makes them trustworthy as they use AI," he said. "AI is a really powerful and transformative set of technologies. "It would be silly of us to say let's just let it rip without saying, 'Hold on a second, what benefits do we want and how can we best get those?'" Earlier this month former industry minister Ed Husic also advocated for an AI Act that could help to safeguard against its risks. But Tech Council of Australia chair Scott Farquhar has urged the government not to regulate as a first resort. Earlier this week, he said many of the harms that are known now are covered by existing regulation. He expected some jobs would be lost, such as call centre workers, but said jobs could also be created out of AI and an increased number of data centres. "I'm asking the unions to help us train new jobs and let's get them done faster so it's not a four-year apprenticeship," he told 730. "I'm asking unions to help us evolve for jobs there are less of, how do we get those people into new jobs?" Mr Cassidy has adapted to AI by engaging in more performative work, and is also exploring ethically cloning his voice. He wants to see specific AI regulation as well as support for artists when it comes to enforcement of existing or future laws. "I don't have the budget to take this to court and go the full mile," Mr Cassidy said. "There are hundreds of situations like mine that need financial help, need legal help, need sponsorship in some way to actually communicate the depth, length and breadth of this problem."
The Herald Scotland
06-08-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Plans to safeguard future of Scottish mining museum
The four-acre Midlothian site effectively captures the developments in mining over generations and highlights include the most powerful steam winding engine in Scotland; the most extensive preserved suite of Lancashire Boilers in the UK, and the only extant timber Dredger in Europe. Midlothian Council Leader Kelly Parry and Cabinet Member for Tourism Colin Cassidy visited the museum last week. READ MORE: Argyll museum wins prestigious award after redevelopment success The councillors were in Newtongrange to meet informally with Kerry Godfrey, the museum's communications and audience development manager, to hear more about the five-star attraction's short and longer-term plans to attract more visitors. Cllr Cassidy said: 'While it was encouraging to hear Saturday's family fun day has already sold around 1,000 tickets, we also wanted to get a sense of how the museum, housed in one of the best-preserved Victorian Collieries in Europe, was planning to safeguard the future of this unique slice of Scotland's industrial heritage. 'After all, it's celebrating its 130th birthday and we want it to be around for centuries to come.' The councillors heard more details of the venue's aim to raise over £450,000 for a major transformation project to become a world-class destination for Midlothian. Midlothian Council's Cabinet Member for Tourism Councillor Colin Cassidy, Council Leader Councillor Kelly Parry and Newton, the National Mining Museum's mascot (Image: Midlothian Council) Plans include extending its ability to host events such as weddings and conferences, creating a 'collections discovery and skills' centre, developing green energy and communal growing projects and restoring its A-listed buildings and iconic winding engine. Cllr Parry said: 'The plans are very encouraging but with the museum's acknowledged reliance on grant funding from the Scottish Government, the only way it is ever going to achieve financial sustainability is by getting more people through the door. 'Locally then we all need to do our bit by visiting what is a major attraction right on our doorstep while as a council we continue to help the museum explore more funding streams and other ways to generate income. 'It's so easy to get here by public transport – buses and trains can take people just about to the door – and, once here the tours by former miners are fascinating."
Scotsman
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scotsman
£1.5million project to make section of A7 more pedestrian friendly to start in summer
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now A £1.5million project to make a stretch of the A7 more pedestrian friendly will start work in July after it was given the final seal of approval by Midlothian councillors. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The first phase of an A7 Urbanisation project will see new bus stops, footpaths and crossings installed on the busy main road between Melville Dykes Road Roundabout to the west of Dalkeith to Eskbank Road Roundabout. A meeting of Midlothian Council today approved the first phase of work to improve active travel on the major road using £1.496m of funds which councillors stressed came from developers contributions rather than the council's own budget. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The project includes resurfacing on 12,000 square metres of road and creating two new Toucan crossings, four new bus stops with lay-bys, shelters and Real Time Passenger Information signs. A section of the A7 near Melvile Dykes Roundabout in Midlothian is set to be upgraded | Google Maps Low energy LED lighting will be installed along a shared use footpath for pedestrians and cyclists along with a buffer zone between the road and the path itself. The road currently has no pedestrian path at all. It is also expected to see the speed limit reduced to 30mph over the section. Councillors were told the work would start on July 7, the first Monday of the school holidays, with plans to complete it before schools go back. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Councillor Colin Cassidy moved a motion to approve the work telling the meeting it was 'well overdue' and stressing that it would be funded by contributions from housing developers 'at no cost to the council'. He said: 'I hope it will bring improvements to the bus services and the people using it.' Councillor Dianne Alexander, who seconded the motion, added: 'This is an important step forward in our efforts to create a more sustainable, affordable and attractive Midlothian. 'This is not just about infrastructure, it is about creating better ways for us to move around. This project sets a precedent for active travel across Midlothian.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Councillor Derek Milligan said questions would be asked about why the decision had been taken to start the project at the Melville Roundabout when the nearby Tesco one, which has five separate junctions, was of more concern to people. However officers said the Melville to Eskbank section had been chosen because it was the 'simplest' to get underway. And they said discussions were underway about how to tackle the issues at the Tesco roundabout including looking at introducing traffic lights or a slip road which could alleviate the traffic pressure. Councillors were told a report on option for future work would be brought to them once completed. The first phase project was approved unanimously by councillors.
Edinburgh Reporter
13-05-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
£1.5m project to make stretch of A7 more pedestrian friendly will start in July
A £1.5million project to make a stretch of the A7 more pedestrian friendly will start work in July after it was given the final seal of approval by Midlothian councillors. The first phase of an A7 Urbanisation project will see new bus stops, footpaths and crossings installed on the busy main road between Melville Dykes Road Roundabout to the west of Dalkeith to Eskbank Road Roundabout. A meeting of Midlothian Council today approved the first phase of work to improve active travel on the major road using £1.496m of funds which councillors stressed came from developers contributions rather than the council's own budget. The project includes resurfacing on 12,000 square metres of road and creating two new Toucan crossings, four new bus stops with lay-bys, shelters and Real Time Passenger Information signs. Low energy LED lighting will be installed along a shared use footpath for pedestrians and cyclists along with a buffer zone between the road and the path itself. The road currently has no pedestrian path at all. It is also expected to see the speed limit reduced to 30mph over the section. Councillors were told the work would start on July 7, the first Monday of the school holidays, with plans to complete it before schools go back. Councillor Colin Cassidy moved a motion to approve the work telling the meeting it was 'well overdue' and stressing that it would be funded by contributions from housing developers 'at no cost to the council'. He said: 'I hope it will bring improvements to the bus services and the people using it.' Councillor Dianne Alexander, who seconded the motion, added: 'This is an important step forward in our efforts to create a more sustainable, affordable and attractive Midlothian. 'This is not just about infrastructure, it is about creating better ways for us to move around. This project sets a precedent for active travel across Midlothian.' Councillor Derek Milligan said questions would be asked about why the decision had been taken to start the project at the Melville Roundabout when the nearby Tesco one, which has five separate junctions, was of more concern to people. However officers said the Melville to Eskbank section had been chosen because it was the 'simplest' to get underway. And they said discussions were underway about how to tackle the issues at the Tesco roundabout including looking at introducing traffic lights or a slip road which could alleviate the traffic pressure. Councillors were told a report on option for future work would be brought to them once completed. The first phase project was approved unanimously by councillors. By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
13-05-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
£1.5m Midlothian project to improve pedestrian access on A7 gets go ahead
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A £1.5million project to make a stretch of the A7 more pedestrian friendly will start work in July after it was given the final seal of approval by Midlothian councillors. The first phase of an A7 Urbanisation project will see new bus stops, footpaths and crossings installed on the busy main road between Melville Dykes Road Roundabout to the west of Dalkeith to Eskbank Road Roundabout. A meeting of Midlothian Council today approved the first phase of work to improve active travel on the major road using £1.496m of funds which councillors stressed came from developers contributions rather than the council's own budget. The project includes resurfacing on 12,000 square metres of road and creating two new Toucan crossings, four new bus stops with lay-bys, shelters and Real Time Passenger Information signs. Low energy LED lighting will be installed along a shared use footpath for pedestrians and cyclists along with a buffer zone between the road and the path itself. The road currently has no pedestrian path at all. It is also expected to see the speed limit reduced to 30mph over the section. Councillors were told the work would start on July 7, the first Monday of the school holidays, with plans to complete it before schools go back. Councillor Colin Cassidy moved a motion to approve the work telling the meeting it was "well overdue" and stressing that it would be funded by contributions from housing developers "at no cost to the council". He said: "I hope it will bring improvements to the bus services and the people using it." Councillor Dianne Alexander, who seconded the motion, added: "This is an important step forward in our efforts to create a more sustainable, affordable and attractive Midlothian. "This is not just about infrastructure, it is about creating better ways for us to move around. This project sets a precedent for active travel across Midlothian." Councillor Derek Milligan said questions would be asked about why the decision had been taken to start the project at the Melville Roundabout when the nearby Tesco one, which has five separate junctions, was of more concern to people. However officers said the Melville to Eskbank section had been chosen because it was the "simplest" to get underway. And they said discussions were underway about how to tackle the issues at the Tesco roundabout including looking at introducing traffic lights or a slip road which could alleviate the traffic pressure. Councillors were told a report on option for future work would be brought to them once completed. The first phase project was approved unanimously by councillors.
