📰 What Happened
Australia's two major parties are moving closer together on artificial intelligence. Labor and the Coalition both want to bet big on AI. But public trust in the technology is falling fast. Only thirty percent of Australians thought AI's benefits outweighed its risks last year. In 2026, that trust appears to be dropping even further. Writers Edward Santow and Sarah Sacher warn the parties are out of step with voters.
🔍 The Backstory
Parliament formed a joint select committee on AI, which is a rare step. It shows how important the decisions are seen to be. Choices about data centres and AI could shape the economy for many years. Fresh hearings started this week. The committee must face the gap between politics and what people actually feel. Many workers want the government to protect them from AI harms.
🎯 Why It Matters
AI could change jobs and daily life for everyone. The choices lawmakers make now will affect workers and families for decades.

Australia's two major parties are moving closer together on artificial intelligence. Labor and the Coalition both want to bet big on AI. But public trust in the technology is falling fast. Only thirty percent of Australians thought AI's benefits outweighed its risks last year. In 2026, that trust appears to be dropping even further. Writers Edward Santow and Sarah Sacher warn the parties are out of step with voters.

Parliament formed a joint select committee on AI, which is a rare step. It shows how important the decisions are seen to be. Choices about data centres and AI could shape the economy for many years. Fresh hearings started this week. The committee must face the gap between politics and what people actually feel. Many workers want the government to protect them from AI harms.

AI could change jobs and daily life for everyone. The choices lawmakers make now will affect workers and families for decades.

📰 Source: News Source
theguardian.com ↗
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