“A practical starting point”: Partners react to Microsoft Australia and ACTU new AI agreement
Partners are open and excited to the recent AI agreement between the two entities.
Last week, Microsoft Australia and the Australian Trade Council Union (ACTU) signed a new framework agreement around the development and deployment of AI.
This agreement aims to elevate the voices and expertise of working people in the introduction of AI and other emerging technologies into Australian workplaces.
A rep for Microsoft told CRN Australia last week that this agreement is a “positive step” for the Aussie IT channel.
“Putting structured skilling, worker voice and responsible deployment at the centre of AI transformation helps create a more confident and capable workforce—something a thriving channel depends on,” they said.
CRN Australia spoke to several channel leaders and Microsoft partners about this new agreement and how it will impact them.
Matt Salmanzadeh, director and co-founder, Nexwave
Salmanzadeh at Nexwave told CRN Australia, “If we lift every individual’s knowledge of AI and take it out of the black box, everyone benefits: individuals become more valuable as their productivity and capability go up,” he said.
“Businesses get better‑designed, safer solutions because people are armed with how the tech works.”
He also noted that through AI, partners lift their game as the “low‑hanging fruit” gets handled by individuals and businesses, letting them shift focus to high‑value, more complex use cases.
“Customers get better service and outcomes from these new tools and society - Australia in particular - becomes more globally competitive on all fronts,” he said.
“That’s why we see the Microsoft–ACTU framework as a positive benefit for all and a practical starting point to scale skills, embed worker voice, and accelerate responsible adoption.”
Brad Clarke, founder, Channel Guru
Clarke said it is “encouraging” to see Microsoft taking a “proactive and collaborative approach” to the future of work through this framework with the ACTU.
“Establishing clear structures for worker voice, skills development, and responsible AI adoption is a positive step, particularly at a time when many industries are facing rapid transformation,” he explained.
“Too often, we’ve seen technology outpace governance, leaving organisations to self-navigate complex areas like security, skills, and workforce impact.”
Clarke noted that this agreement signals a more “deliberate, people-first approach”.
“A key opportunity moving forward will be ensuring Microsoft’s extensive partner ecosystem is also actively brought along on this journey, so partners are equipped to support customer outcomes while aligning with strong worker protections and responsible technology adoption,” he ended.
Chris Seysener, AI Practice Lead, Atturra
When asked about the new framework agreement, Seysener said, “The agreement is a positive and pragmatic signal that AI adoption is as much a people and change challenge as it is a technology one — something we see consistently in real-world delivery.”
He noted that for partners like Atturra, a stronger focus on workforce readiness, skills and trust reduces delivery risk and leads to more sustainable AI outcomes for customers.
Seysener highlighted that genuine worker consultation must go beyond intention to impact.
“We believe that worker input mechanisms should be meaningful, not just advisory councils or periodic briefings,” he said.
“The real test will be how these principles translate into measurable change — genuine engagement, clear guidance, practical implementation and accountability at deployment level.”
In his experience, Seysener explained that AI succeeds when workers are part of the journey, not recipients of it.
“This framework creates a constructive foundation for that approach,” he said.
“We see this as a positive and timely step toward more human-centred AI adoption in Australia. AI succeeds when people are engaged, skilled and confident — not surprised by change.”