ADM+S researcher cited in Parliament’s report on the Future of Work
Author Natalie Campbell
Date 17 February 2025
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training has published The Future of Work: Inquiry into the Digital Transformation of Workplaces, following their Inquiry into the Digital Transformation of Workplaces, citing contributions from ADM+S Affiliate Emmanuelle Walkowiak’s 19 June submission.
The inquiry found that Imminent support is required for employers, workers, students, and regulators, and that Australia needs to increase investment in research and development to ensure the safe, responsible and effective use of ADM and AI in the workplace.
The report explains, “digital transformation has exposed significant risks, including gaps in Australia’s regulatory frameworks and workplace protections. This is especially the case with data and privacy.”
A Vice-Chancellor Senior Research Fellow in Economics at RMIT’s Blockchain Innovation Hub, Dr Walkowiak’s research primarily focuses on technology driven inclusion at work, and the changing nature of work in a digital economy.
Her submission to the Inquiry outlined evidence-based recommendations on harnessing AI for productivity, skill development, and job creation in Australia while addressing risks like impacts on hiring, job design, and work quality. It explored AI’s effect on labour rights, fairness, and dignity at work, as well as its influence on small businesses and vulnerable groups, including neurodiverse workers.
Dr Walkowiak’s submission is cited in the report’s discussion of Regulating Technology: Public views (p.19), Opportunities in productivity and efficacy (p.28), and Data and Privacy: Disclosure and breach of privacy (p.49).
Dr Walkowiak said, “I’m honoured that my insights have been cited in the final report, which outlines key recommendations on the digital transformation of work and its implications for workers, businesses, and policymakers.
“Engaging with policymakers to support evidence based decision is an important part of my research, and I look forward to further discussions on shaping more inclusive and productive workplaces in the digital age.”
The Inquiry into the Digital Transformation of Workplaces was adopted on 9 April 2024, following a referral from the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, to report on the rapid development and uptake of automated decision making and machine learning techniques in the workplace.
Dr Walkowiak was invited to present evidence to the Committee as part of an academic roundtable on 2 September 2024.
ADM+S Affiliate Dr Kobi Leins and PhD Student Lauren Kelly were also involved in the public hearings.
