Australia's 'nation-leading' AI royal commission sparks debate

South Australia's government, under Premier Peter Malinauskas, has a penchant for self-description as "nation-leading," a phrase appearing over 50 times in its media releases over the past 18 months. This label has been applied to initiatives ranging from social media bans for children and tobacco crackdowns to knife laws and even a textile donation event.

Most recently, Malinauskas announced what he termed a "genuine national first": a royal commission into artificial intelligence. This inquiry is set to become the most extensive public examination of AI's policy challenges in Australia. While the specific terms of reference are still being drafted, the commission is expected to investigate AI's impact on education, skills, work, health, and infrastructure.

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Maybe I've got the bug, I don't know, but once you really start reading about AI and getting into the depths of what this is going to mean, you can't help but feel a weight of responsibility to do something about it.

The announcement followed a business trip to the United States where AI was a frequent topic of discussion with tech leaders. Malinauskas expressed a sense of responsibility to address the implications of AI, stating that "to do nothing about it I think would be completely reckless and foolhardy." However, the initiative faces skepticism. Critics question why South Australia is leading this charge, suggesting it should be a federal domain. Furthermore, concerns linger about whether the commission's findings will remain relevant by the time its work is completed, given the rapid pace of AI development.

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To do nothing about it I think would be completely reckless and foolhardy.