Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced major initiatives for the Artificial Intelligence acceleration and regulation programs including establishing Australian Standards for AI for safe and responsible use of the technology and setting up an Office of AI under the department of the prime minister and cabinet.
Delivering a key address an ‘AI in Australia’s Interests’ at the University of Sydney’s Camperdown campus on Wednesday, PM Albanese highlighted that the technology should be accessible to all and it should not only be confined to experts, and a coordinated national approach can make AI work in the country’s national interests.
PM Albanese announced that Australian Standards of AI bill will be introduced in the parliament early next year.
Speaking at the University of Sydney, the prime minister stressed that the government is looking forward to bringing frontier AI investment in the country as it wants AI to support and create good jobs, not replace them.
“The expansion of AI requires a physical, material footprint. It needs our land and energy and computing power to operate. That means we can set the terms, we can determine AI’s social license,” the prime minister said. He further mentioned that as the technology is rapidly evolving and moving fast, the question which matters right now is how AI will transform the economy.
“It is not a question of ‘if’ or ‘when’ AI will transform our economy, we are past that. The question that matters, the choice that we have – is how. How we apply our enduring values of fairness and opportunity to make this technology work for us. For workers and communities, for our economy and our environment, for our creative industries and media. This is about Australia shaping the future, rather than letting the future shape us,” the prime minister expressed.
Albanese referred to a recent research led by the department of employment and workplace relations on AI’s impact on the labour market. According to the research which the prime minister described as the world’s first real-time, data driven analysis, graduate employment remains strong despite changes in some roles, software and technology based jobs are growing, unemployment is near historic lows and workforce participation has reached record highs.
He claimed that the country’s skilled and diverse workforce is a key factor attracting global AI investment. Keeping in mind the opportunities AI is creating, the prime minister announced the establishment of a set of Australian Standards for AI.
Under this the government is planning to create a single regulatory framework to govern large AI infrastructure projects. The standards will cover the location of AI data centres, energy and water use, community engagement, faster approvals and protections for national security.
The prime minister announced that he would seek agreement from premiers and chief ministers at the National Cabinet meeting, aiming to bring legislation early next year.
“We will consult closely with industry and our trading partners to design a framework for faster decision-making, better supporting infrastructure and genuine community engagement,” Albanese stated.
A major focus of setting up Australian Standards for AI is to protect the country’s artists and media. The prime minister said new laws would ensure Australian writers, musicians, artists and journalists retain ownership and control of their work.
“No company should use Australian books, music, art or news to build or train AI without the artist’s control.That includes the artist’s control of the price and value of their work. Anything less, is theft,” the prime minister made it clear in his speech.
The government will establish an office of AI within the department of the prime minister and cabinet. The new office will coordinate AI policy across government, oversee the development of the national AI standards and work closely with ministers responsible for industry, science, employment, energy, education, copyright and national security.
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