AI use has doubled in a year, but worker protections have not kept pace and workers are paying the price.
Finance sector workers are using AI more than ever before, yet say they are more fearful, less supported and more heavily monitored according to a recent survey by the Finance Sector Union (FSU).
The report shows that employers are rolling out AI rapidly without proper safeguards.
In 2025, 36 per cent of finance workers said they often use AI, almost double the 19 per cent the union’s survey found in 2024. The share of people who never use AI has dropped from 24 per cent to just 13 per cent, with confidence in using AI still not growing in line with exposure.
A staggering 70 per cent told their union they believe AI threatens their job security, up from 60 per cent last year. At CBA, that figure is 81 per cent, and 73 per cent of workers say their employer has not discussed how AI will affect their job.
The report highlights the case of former CBA worker Kathryn Sullivan, who unknowingly helped train the chatbot that led to her job being cut – a case that shows how transparency and worker’s voices must be central when AI is introduced.
Surveillance concerns are rising fast, with half of workers surveyed describing monitoring as high or very high and more than half saying it harms their wellbeing. Only 30 per cent said they felt prepared to work alongside AI.
Women and older workers remain the most disadvantaged when it comes to AI, reporting lower confidence, less access to training and more negative experiences. The readiness gap between employers and workers is widening, not closing.
Compared to last year, every measure has worsened. Fear is rising, transparency remains low and surveillance concerns have intensified. Women and older workers continue to fall behind.
Workers quoted in the report said AI must never become a simple cost-cutting tool. They stressed the need to keep human judgement central to decisions and warned against algorithmic monitoring that pressures conversations and outcomes.
The FSU has created a roadmap for a digital just transition to ensure workers have a say on how AI is used and are protected. The transition is built on four pillars: consultation, education, data and surveillance protections, and fair redundancy and redeployment.
Finance Sector Union National Assistant Secretary Nicole McPherson said: “AI use has doubled in a year, but worker protections have not kept pace and workers are paying the price.
“Workers are being pushed into using AI without consultation, training or transparency. Lawmakers and employers have completely failed to match the speed of this change.
“A digital just transition is essential. Workers must be consulted, trained and protected. Their data must be safe and surveillance limited. And if AI changes or replaces roles, workers must have real pathways to redeployment.
“The four pillars of a just transition are the foundations of a fair digital future.”
Direct quotes from workers surveyed for the report:
“I feel like I am constantly being watched. Every click and pause is monitored and it makes you feel anxious all day.”
“We get told a new AI tool is coming in on Monday and by Friday it’s already in use in our workflow with no consultation.”
“AI is meant to take away the boring parts of the job, but no one is training us for what comes next.”
“I worry algorithms are being used to pressure outcomes without understanding our customers. You can’t replace human judgement.”
“I don’t feel prepared for any of this. It’s changing too fast and we’re expected to keep up with no support.”