‘Getting this right’: Labor unveils blueprint for AI

Australia is set to launch a new framework for artificial intelligence, establishing an Office of AI within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will announce the initiative, drawing parallels between AI's transformative potential and the impact of civil aviation a century ago.

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Getting this right will enhance our appeal to international investors, by delivering greater clarity and speed for approvals, and a streamlined process for verifying compliance.

The new office will be responsible for coordinating the development of Australian Standards for AI and consolidating government efforts in this rapidly evolving field. This move comes in response to growing concerns about the regulation of AI, data center usage, and the protection of Australian intellectual property. The government aims to create clear guardrails that will not only mitigate risks but also attract international investment.

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But just as government developed co-ordinated approaches for other significant technologies: from civil aviation in the 1920s to genetics in the 1990s, we must do this with AI as well.

Prime Minister Albanese will emphasize that establishing the right regulatory environment is crucial for enhancing Australia's appeal to global investors. He will argue that providing greater clarity, speed in approvals, and a streamlined compliance process will foster business confidence. This approach mirrors how governments historically developed coordinated strategies for significant technologies like civil aviation and genetics.

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We tried self-regulation for … a couple of decades, found out that it didn’t work, and it won’t work on a financial basis for these firms.

The initiative also addresses specific concerns, including clarifications sought by AI company Anthropic regarding copyright settings. While the Prime Minister's speech is not expected to detail changes to copyright law, it will highlight ongoing consultations on copyright and artist protections related to AI training. Furthermore, the government is working to mitigate risks associated with AI, such as its use in creating propaganda and disinformation targeting young people and democracies, and its role in defense and national security.

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None of these firms will go one out from the other to bring in guardrails to limit the risks.