Meet Your New Hire: AI

Imagine you’ve just welcomed a new employee into the office.

They’re sharp, lightning-fast, and can crunch information before you’ve even settled in for the morning. 

At first glance, they’re the dream hire, ready to make their mark on your workplace. But, as with any new recruit, there’s more to success than sheer smarts. You want them to make intelligent decisions, sure, but you also need them to follow the processes already in place, treat everyone fairly, and understand the company culture.

Let’s call your new recruit AI. 

That’s exactly where the government’s new AI framework comes into play. 

While the framework might have been designed for public service, its lessons are just as valuable for businesses. After all, the success of your AI depends on more than just raw power. It’s about ensuring that it plays by the rules, integrates seamlessly with your team, and, perhaps most importantly, avoids a “runaway robot” scenario.

So, how do you make sure AI is the employee of the year and not a liability? Here’s the onboarding checklist every business needs right now:

Fairness. No one likes the colleague who plays Favorites, and AI is no different. Just because it's a machine doesn’t mean it’s free from bias. In fact, algorithms can inherit biases if they’re not properly managed. Imagine AI screening resumes for your next hire, but unintentionally excluding qualified candidates due to biased data. Not ideal. Ensuring fairness means programming AI to make decisions that are as objective as possible. 

Your AI should be a force for good - making sure everyone gets a fair shot.

Transparency. Because no one likes to be kept in the dark. Whether it’s your employees wondering why a decision was made, or your customers curious about who (or what) is handling their data, transparency is key. If AI is quietly pulling strings behind the scenes, it’s crucial to communicate that openly. Let people know how AI is being used within your business - whether it's optimising supply chains, answering customer queries, or even predicting future trends. It’s about building trust, and trust comes from openness.

Responsibility matters too. Sure, AI is incredibly efficient. It can automate tasks, make decisions at lightning speed, and analyse vast amounts of data in a way humans simply can’t. But just because it can, doesn’t mean it should - at least not without careful oversight. Regulations around AI are constantly evolving, and it's essential to stay ahead of the curve. Think of it like this: you wouldn’t give a new employee free rein to do whatever they want without understanding the company policies. AI is no different. Keep it efficient, but responsible - always operating within the latest legal and ethical guidelines.

And finally, be future-ready. AI is advancing faster than you can say “machine learning.” But with that speed comes a need for constant adaptation. Hopefully, you wouldn’t let a stellar employee stagnate without any professional development. The same applies to AI. As technology evolves, your teams need to stay up to date, learning how to work alongside AI and making sure your systems are always on the cutting edge. 

It’s not just about keeping up- it’s about staying ahead, making sure your business is ready for whatever the future holds.

And of course the story of AI is still unfolding, and businesses have a unique opportunity to help write the next chapter. The government is inviting feedback on its AI policy, giving organizations like yours a chance to weigh in on the guidelines that will shape the future of AI in Australia. This is your moment to ensure that AI doesn’t just meet today’s standards but sets the bar for the future—fair, transparent, responsible, and always evolving.

• Have your say on AI policy: Feedback link
• Learn about the government’s AI framework: Framework link