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Interview Special: AI Should Augment; Not Replace Roles: QUT’s Professor Marek Kowalkiewicz
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Strategic Business Initiatives Community Interviews

Interview Special: AI Should Augment; Not Replace Roles: QUT’s Professor Marek Kowalkiewicz

Aug 25, 2025 | 4 mins

The Queensland University of Technology’s Professor Marek Kowalkiewicz, has criticised organisations that are using the introduction of AI as a reason to cut staff, arguing that these technologies should augment existing roles rather than replace them.

Kowalkiewicz, who is Chair in Digital Economy at QUT, says there is a “corporate myopia” in which AI technologies are viewed as a way to cut costs instead of a way to boost staff efficiency and grow organisations.

Over the past month, Altassian and the Commonwealth Bank (CBA) have both laid off staff following investments in AI. CBA last week reversed its earlier decision to cut 45 jobs after introducing an AI voice bot. Meanwhile, Australian unions are seeking tougher regulations to guide the future roll out of these technologies in workplaces.

“Honestly, I cannot understand it as a professor working for a business school.…

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