What Happened
The National AI Forum convened in Canberra on Wednesday, bringing together economists, business leaders and politicians to discuss how artificial intelligence will reshape the Australian workforce.
Former International Monetary Fund economist Chris Richardson delivered what the Canberra Times described as a hopeful message to attendees. "Jobs exist to solve problems... if AI is going to take away some jobs, it's sure as hell not going to take away problems," Richardson told the forum.
Sir Richard Branson addressed the gathering via video. "What concerns me most isn't whether AI can write reports, analyse data, or automate tasks. It's whether a young person leaving school today can still find meaningful work," he said.
Former ALP leader Bill Shorten was among the other prominent voices at the event. "This opportunity is the largest I have seen in my life... we need to run at it with speed," Shorten said, according to the Canberra Times.
Why It Matters
Speakers at the forum told attendees that AI will affect every job in Australia. The Canberra Times reported that guests heard AI, if used correctly, can increase productivity and allow workers to focus on the human element of their roles.
One speaker warned that the stakes extend beyond employment. "If this disappears, we don't simply have a workforce challenge. We have a complete societal challenge," the Canberra Times quoted them as saying.
The SBS has separately reported on the question of which jobs may prove more resilient to AI-driven change, noting that roles requiring human judgement, physical presence, and interpersonal skills are among those considered harder to automate.
Key Details
Richardson's framing centred on problems rather than tasks. His argument, as reported by the Canberra Times, was that AI may automate specific functions but cannot remove the underlying problems that create demand for work in the first place.
Branson's concern was directed at younger Australians entering the workforce now. His remarks pointed to meaningful employment as the measure that matters, not simply whether jobs exist in aggregate.
One speaker at the forum addressed the question of authenticity in AI-assisted work. "People hate when they think they're paying for bullshit," they said, per the Canberra Times, suggesting that the value of human judgement and genuine expertise will remain visible to clients and employers.
Another speaker signalled impatience with the ongoing public debate about AI's merits. "I'm over the debate about whether AI is good or bad. It's here. How are we going to use it?" they said, according to the Canberra Times.
Background and Context
The National AI Forum in Canberra is one of several events held across Australia in 2026 as governments, businesses and educational institutions work through the practical implications of widespread AI adoption. The gathering drew figures from economics, politics and industry, reflecting the breadth of sectors expected to be affected.
The SBS has noted that discussions about AI and employment in Australia have increasingly focused on which skills and roles offer the most stability, with education and adaptability cited repeatedly as the central variables.
What Comes Next
No specific policy announcements were reported from the forum. The Canberra Times noted that speakers called for action and speed rather than further deliberation, though the forum itself did not produce a formal set of recommendations. The question of how Australian educational institutions and employers respond to the AI transition remains open.