Future of work

Artificial Intelligence Capability Fund Impact Evaluation

Our researchers conducted an evaluation of the Artificial Intelligence Capability Fund (AICF) for the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources (now: Department of Industry, Science and Resources). The AICF included seven distinct initiatives:

• Cooperative Research Centre Projects (CRC-P) providing financial support to AI-focused collaborations between industry and research organisations.
• Supporting AI in schools - AI and digital technology learning resources and services for teachers, students, school leaders and parents.
• AI-focused PhD scholarships – supporting doctoral students in strategic priority areas including AI.
• AI Ethics Framework initiative – preparation of national principles of ethical use of AI in business and government.
• AI Technology Roadmap – draft strategies to develop national AI capability.
• AI Standards Roadmap – a document framing the development of standards for AI.

Researchers: Associate Prof. Andreas Cebulla and Hamish Gamble. 

The future of work for young people – early occupational pathways and the risk of automation in Australia

AITI analysed the Longitudinal Survey of Australian Youth (LSAY) to observe occupational choices over a recent ten-year period as young people entered the job market.  The study applied OECD data (Nedelkoska and Quintini , 2018) to estimate occupations’ risks of being automated. Findings were published in the Journal of Youth Studies. 

Researcher: Associate Prof. Andreas Cebulla

Migrants’ skills recognition and utilisation in the South Australian economy

International skilled labour is an important contributor to knowledge and innovation in the Australian economy, but labour market integration can prove difficult for some migrants. Researchers at AITI in collaboration with researchers at Charles Darwin University (CDU) studied skilled migrants’ response to the challenge of having their occupational skills recognised in South Australia, finding many undertook additional study locally to achieve that recognition, but with only marginal effect on their labour market status.  The study’s findings have been published in the journal International Migration: https://doi.org/10.1111/imig.13030

Researchers: Associate Prof. Andreas Cebulla and Dr George Tan

The Changing World of Work: Ethical Deployment of AI in the Workforce

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to fundamentally change jobs and the nature of work. This study examines the ethics of AI use in the workplace. Building on expert interviews, workshops and case studies, the projects will produce a scorecard with accompanying protocol to assist AI users, regulators and WHS inspectors in assessing the risks posed by this new technology to safety and dignity at work.

The research has been published by the Centre for Work Health and Safety and also in the journal AI & Society. 

Researchers:

• Associate Professor Andreas Cebulla
• Zygmunt Szpak (Australian Institute for Machine Learning, UoA)
• Catherine Howell (independent researcher)
• Genevieve Knight (South Australian Centre for Economic Studies, UoA)

Funding body: Centre for Work Health and Safety (NSW Government)

Exploring the economic benefits of nurses and midwives

AITI is conducting an analysis of the regional economic benefits of improved nursing and midwifery pay rates and an independent assessment of hospital system performance.

Researchers:

• Dr Ann-Louise Hordacre
• Barry Burgan
• Professor John Spoehr
• Cecilia Moretti

Funding body: The Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation