ADM+S acknowledged for contribution to Commonwealth Governments’ discussion paper on Safe and Responsible AI
Author Kathy Nickels
Date 22 September 2023
The rapid rise of generative AI is revolutionising the generation of content, and around the world people are looking to governments to lead the conversation on its regulation.
How should the Australian federal government take action to promote artificial intelligence and automated decision-making that is safe and responsible?
The Minister for Industry and Science Hon Ed Husic has highlighted that the government is committed to a thoughtful approach to the challenges of generative AI while ensuring they also maximise the benefits.
“While AI has been with us for a while and contains great benefits for both individuals and organisations, it’s important we get the balance right on its introduction,” said Hon Ed Husic.
In June 2023, the Australian Government called for public submissions for their discussion paper Supporting Responsible AI.
The discussion paper builds on the recent Rapid Research Report on Generative AI delivered by the government’s National Science and Technology Council.
Hon Ed Husic provided some details about submissions received in a recent article published in the Australian Financial Review.
He said that more than 500 submissions were received, reflecting the interest and concern people have around regulations of AI.
“Nearly every submission agreed that getting the guardrails right was about more than just creating new laws. It also meant investing in capability building and education, creating standards, and in co-ordinating and upskilling existing regulators and policymakers,” said Hon Ed Husic.
However there was a divided response on whether Australia explicitly needed new laws to address the growth and management on artificial intelligence.
“Most of the submissions from the technology companies said updating existing laws would be more effective than introducing new laws specifically for AI developers and users.
“They pointed out that there were many laws that already influenced AI development. But laws will need to be updated.”
Hon Ed Husic highlighted the submission made by The Centre for Automated Decision Making and Society and the existing legal frameworks identified in this report that need updating to address AI’s challenges.
“These included administrative law, copyright law, privacy, political advertising and campaign laws, and rules for financial advisers, medicine and lawyers.
“Consumer and human rights groups, on the other hand, and members of the public, supported explicit new AI laws. The need for watermarking or labelling of AI-generated material was identified by many as a new and urgent issue.
“And there was a real concern that an explosion of cheap AI content would see people spending more time battling information overload, cancelling any productivity gains.
“These are all real and serious concerns. Ones that, as a government, we will grapple with over the next while.
“Getting the balance right will be important. Important in allowing AI to enhance our economic prospects and national wellbeing and protecting Australians,” said Hon Ed Husic.
Read the full ADM+S Submission to the Safe and Responsible AI in Australia Discussion Paper
