Rethinking industrial relations: Policy ecologies, cultural work and artificial intelligence

Abstract

This article explores how, in reshaping creative labour in Australia's cultural and creative industries, artificial intelligence is exposing the limitations of the current industrial relations framework. Using a policy ecology lens and drawing on submissions from creative industries stakeholder groups to two parliamentary inquiries, the article maps the fragmented governance of creative labour across industrial relations, copyright law, cultural policy. As artificial intelligence is disrupting attribution, income, and authorship in the cultural and creative industries, many freelance and contract-based workers fall outside the core workplace protections afforded to employees. The article argues that a reimagining of industrial relations is required to ensure that creative labour is adequately protected in an economy increasingly driven by artificial intelligence.