Artificial intelligence: Victoria becomes first Australian state to set up all-party AI group
BOTH sides of the Victorian parliament are joining forces to examine the sweeping impact of artificial intelligence, adding to Melbourne’s status as the tech capital of Australia.
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VICTORIA has become the first Australian state to set up an all-party parliamentary group to help prepare for the sweeping impact of artificial intelligence.
Both sides of the Victorian parliament are joining forces to examine the social and economic upheaval likely to be ushered in by the rise of AI.
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The move comes 14 months after the UK parliament established an all-party parliamentary group on AI — believed to be first in the world.
Victoria’s is the first-such group set up by any parliament in Australia and New Zealand, according to the Committee for Melbourne, which lobbied for the group to be established.
It comes after Melbourne was last year named Australia’s technology capital by British property services goliath Savills.
Committee for Melbourne chief Martine Letts said AI was among “the greatest issues facing Victoria and Australia”.
“Simulated human intelligence performed by computers and machines, also known as AI, is one of the key drivers of the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” Ms Letts said.
“It is hard to overstate its importance, its impact and the implications for our economy and our community.”
Details of the parliamentary group will formally be announced at Victoria’s Parliament House this morning.
Ms Letts said the group would develop a “sound and informed regulatory framework around AI”.
Innovation and Digital Economy Minister Philip Dalidakis will represent the government, and David Southwick will represent the opposition.
Mr Southwick is the opposition’s innovation spokesman.
Ms Letts said AI was developing “at an exponential rate”.
“In addition to the UK, governments of Canada, the United States, China and Japan have all introduced national AI development plans,” she said in a statement.
“We must be digitally capable and government is uniquely placed to respond in a way that will contribute to our future and ensure AI is used as a force for good for Victoria.
“We can’t afford to be left behind.”
In its Tech Cities 2017 report, Savills last March ranked Melbourne as the top “tech city” in Australia and 14th in the world, in a list dominated by US cities.
According to state government figures, Victoria is home to more than half of Australia’s top 20 technology companies, and Melbourne produces more graduates in information and communications technology than any other Australian city.
The city later this year will host a major expo and business summit for the digital technology industry, the Magnify World Expo.
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