Poll shows anxiety over AI at work
The majority of New South Wales workers are calling for stricter government regulation of artificial intelligence in workplaces, according to a new survey.
The RedBridge poll of 1,507 NSW workers, conducted in January, found 69% support tougher regulation of AI systems, including consultation requirements, limits on invasive surveillance, transparency in algorithmic decisions, and clear employer accountability.
Almost two in five workers (38%) believe the risks of AI outweigh the benefits, while 30% report being required to meet targets that feel unrealistic or unfair because of automated systems.
Mark Morey, secretary of Unions NSW, said the technology posed immediate risks to workers rather than a distant threat.
“More than three in ten NSW workers are telling us the threat has already arrived, it is dangerously intensifying work, and they want politicians to act,” Morey said.
Concerns over personal well-being
The survey documented widespread experiences of AI-driven workplace pressures. Three in 10 workers reported experiencing difficulty taking breaks when needed as a result of automated systems or AI, including 19% who said this occurred frequently.
“Being denied the ability to take breaks when your body or mind needs them is unsafe,” Morey said. “When algorithms drive work pace and scheduling, basic protections like rest breaks are being squeezed out.”
Surveillance emerged as a major concern, with 29% of workers reporting being monitored in ways that feel intrusive as a result of AI or automated systems. Meanwhile, 29% said decisions were being made about their work that they could not understand or question.
The poll found 24% of workers reported digital or AI systems were used to make decisions about rosters or shift allocation in their workplace, rising to 28% among casual workers.
“These systems are degrading family life, income security, and mental health,” Morey said. “When an algorithm decides your hours, your pay, and your pace of work, workers deserve clear rules and real protections.”
Worker influence over AI implementation appeared limited, with 49% saying they had very little or no say over how AI and digital systems were introduced in their workplace. Only 31% said they had some or a lot of influence.
Unions NSW cited evidence from across industries, including rideshare drivers instructed to perform illegal manoeuvres, warehouse workers tracked through headsets with unachievable time targets, and factory workers surveilled during bathroom breaks.
“This is a rare issue where workers across industries, regions, and political backgrounds agree,” Morey said. “They don’t want to stop technology but they want it used fairly, safely, and with human oversight.”
Opening business systems for review
The call for regulation comes as the Minns government is advancing legislation aimed at holding employers accountable for harms caused by digital systems such as AI. The Work Health and Safety Amendment (Digital Work Systems) Bill 2026 would amend workplace safety laws to require employers to manage risks associated with digital work systems and grant unions the ability to inspect these systems on site.
Supporters say the bill would modernise protections for workers, while critics argue it could impose intrusive regulatory burdens and privacy risks for businesses. Business groups including the Business Council of Australia, the Australian Industry Group and the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia have criticised the proposed legislation, arguing it could expose sensitive company and employee data without sufficient safeguards and deter investment.
Industrial relations minister Sophie Cotsis has defended the reforms, saying advances in AI and digital services must not come at the cost of worker health and safety, and that the changes will help ensure existing worker rights are balanced with workplace technology adoption.
