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How we’re governing the use of AI in Australia
The Australian Government is working on a framework for the safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) within Australia, including within government. Five key elements are:
The Safe and Responsible AI in Australia consultation (Discussion Paper, June 2023)
The AI in Government Taskforce (started September 2023)
Interim guidance on government use of public generative AI tools (updated November 2023)
The Artificial Intelligence Expert Group (February 2024)
National assurance framework for AI (February 2024)
Safe and responsible AI in Australia consultation
The government is currently working on a consultation around the safe use of AI in . The Safe and Responsible AI in Australia Discussion was released in June 2023 for comment, with submissions closing in August last year. The Discussion Paper focused on the opportunities and challenges, what was happening in AI in Australia and overseas, and different strategies for managing the potential risks.
On 17 January 2024, the Government published its safe and responsible AI interim . The interim response summarises the feedback received from 510 submissions. In general, submissions highlighted the opportunities of AI but also the risks.
“There were broad calls for government to do more to harness the opportunity and address these risks, though differing views on the action government should take.” (page 8)
Risks submitted were grouped into the following categories:
- Technical risks
- Unpredictability and opacity
- Contextual risks
- Systemic risks
- Unforeseen risks
The government’s response highlights the need for regulation to safeguard the use of AI.
The AI in Government Taskforce
The AI in Government was set up in September 2023. Led jointly by the Digital Transformation (DTA) and the Department of Industry, Science and (DISR), the taskforce aims to foster the safe, ethical, and responsible use of AI across the Australian Public Service (APS). Comprising representatives from various government agencies, it seeks to create a unified strategy for AI application, focusing on governance, risk management, skills and capability, and technical use — with a whole-of-government approach.
Interim guidance on government use of public generative AI tools
As part of its mandate, the AI in Government updated the Interim guidance on government use of public generative AI in November 2023. The guidance has two ‘golden rules’:
“You should be able to explain, justify and take ownership of your advice and decisions.
Assume any information you input into public generative AI tools could become public. Don't input anything that could reveal classified, personal or otherwise sensitive information.”
It also contains five principles in practice:
- Accountability
- Transparency and explainability
- Privacy protection and security
- Fairness and human-centred values
- Human, societal and environmental wellbeing
The interim guidance provides practical advice on assessing risks and benefits, ensuring that AI tools are used in ways that align with public expectations and legal requirements.
The Artificial Intelligence Expert Group
Earlier this month, the Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic announced the establishment of a new Artificial Intelligence Expert .
Composed of distinguished experts from various fields, the group will provide advice on “testing, transparency and accountability measures for AI in legitimate, but high-risk settings to ensure our AI systems are safe.”
The group brings together leaders in science, law, ethics and technology to shape policies for high-risk AI applications. By combining diverse perspectives, the group aims to strike a balance between harnessing AI's benefits and addressing ethical concerns, setting a precedent for responsible AI use.
National assurance framework for AI
At this month’s Data and Digital Ministers , members agreed on a national assurance framework for AI that will deliver a consistent approach across federal, state and territory governments. The national AI assurance framework will align with the Australian AI Ethics .
Salsa Digital’s take
These initiatives reflect the Australian Government's proactive stance on AI governance. The goal is to leverage AI's potential while safeguarding against its risks. By establishing clear frameworks and guidelines, Australia protects our citizens but also sets a global standard for responsible AI use. As AI continues to evolve, the ongoing dialogue between government, industry, academia and the public will be crucial in shaping a future where AI enhances society without compromising ethical values or security.
Australia’s work around AI governance mirrors work that’s going on in many countries and jurisdictions around the world. AI is a hot topic and technology that has the power to drive digital transformation in government and society.