Ilona Charles
Artificial intelligence is no longer something we talk about as “coming soon”. It is already part of daily working life for many Australians. The EY Australian AI Workforce Blueprint found more than two-thirds of Australian office workers had used AI in the past month, and many daily users reported saving several hours a week.
From drafting documents to screening job applications, AI is being used in ways that can genuinely save time and reduce admin. Used well, it can free people up to focus on more interesting work requiring judgment and creativity.
But as this technology is increasingly used at work, employees need to stay alert to how it is being used and how it may affect them. The more pressing risks are not of AI “taking over”, but concern how it is deployed and governed.
So what do you need to be aware of?
1. Decisions being made without transparency
A major concern is the lack of visibility around how decisions are made. AI is increasingly used to support decisions about hiring, individual performance and workloads.
Research from the University of Melbourne has found that AI tools can carry hidden bias, particularly when they are trained on historical data that reflects past inequities. In recruitment, this has already raised concerns about discrimination against women, older workers and people with disabilities.
If you are being assessed or managed with the help of an algorithm, it is reasonable to ask what role it plays and whether a human still has the final say.
2. The quiet rise of workplace surveillance
Another issue to watch is the slow creep of workplace surveillance. The ABC has reported that AI can shift from helpful automation into constant monitoring far more easily than many people realise. This was backed by research from the John Curtin Research Centre.
Many employees are already using AI, often without clear rules or guidelines.
Tools that track keystrokes, response times or so-called productivity scores can change the feel of work quickly. When employees feel monitored rather than trusted, stress rises and judgment can falter.
Without clear guardrails, AI can end up intensifying pressure and workload instead of easing them.
3. Poorly managed change
The impact of AI is not just technical, it is emotional. A study led by Flinders University and the NSW Centre for Work Health and Safety found that the biggest risks of AI at work are psychological.
Unclear role accountabilities, fears regarding job security and continual technology changes can take a real toll when people are not properly supported or engaged. Expecting employees to adjust without training, explanation or consultation is a sure path to disengagement and burnout.
4. Being told to use AI without guidance
Many employees are already using AI, often without clear rules or guidelines. An EY survey of Australian workers found that while most people are using AI at work, many are worried about data privacy and accidentally breaching rules.
Only a small number had received clear guidance or training from their employer. This puts employees in a difficult position, especially when dealing with sensitive or personal information. If you are unsure what is appropriate, this could be a clear signal that the rules of engagement are unclear.
What employees can do
The better response is not fear or rejection, but a demonstration of curiosity with discussion and engagement. Ask where AI is being used and why. Pay attention to whether human judgment is still required for decision-making and pay attention to how technology is reshaping the day-to-day experience of work.
Employees also have a say in how this technology lands at work. Speaking up early, raising practical concerns and asking for clarity can shape how AI is introduced. When employees are involved, outcomes are usually better for them and for the organisation. Silence, by contrast, leaves others to decide what people are willing to accept.
Australian researchers and regulators are increasingly clear that successful AI adoption is not primarily about the tools, but about trust, design and care for the people expected to use them. AI offers the most value when it is introduced thoughtfully.
For employees, staying informed, speaking up and keeping the human side of work front and centre remains the best protection. As AI becomes part of everyday work, employees deserve clear boundaries, honest explanations and ongoing dialogue so technology supports fairness and sustainable careers, not just speed and efficiency.
Ilona Charles is CEO and co-founder of shilo, advising CEOs and executive teams on leading people through complex change, including AI adoption and digital transformation.
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