AI safeguards a national priority

Whether it be smartphones, the internet or DVDs, Australians have a reputation for being digitally savvy and early adopters of the latest technologies. We also have been ahead of the world in safeguarding consumer and corporate rights against the emerging threats posed by unregulated tech.

The News Media Bargaining Code that forced big digital to pay publishers for the content they previously had taken for free, repackaged and resold for a profit is a case in point. The emergence of generative artificial intelligence presents a similar challenge but on a much grander scale, and the Albanese government is right to be concerned about what it means for government, companies and consumers. An open letter signed by leading figures in the AI industry went as far as to say that mitigating the risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks such as pandemics and nuclear war. These existential threats, if they exist, are well into the future but must be taken seriously.

But there are more immediate issues that must be considered now. On Thursday, federal Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic will release two reports laying the ground to fast-track laws and regulations that strengthen domestic rules governing the safe and responsible use of AI. Australia is wise to act in its own interest rather than wait for a lead from Europe, the US or other jurisdictions. It also must resist the temptation to allow technology companies that are responsible for developing the AI systems from being able to draw the legislative constraints that will govern it. Consumer rights over privacy and accuracy must be protected quickly. The impact of AI on employment and personal access to credit and other financial services must be properly assessed. Corporate rights must also be protected.

Last week News Corp chief executive Robert Thomson told the International News Media Association World Congress of News Media in New York that journalism content was under serious threat and being harvested, scraped and used to train engines that ultimately undermined the work of reporters. Former Australian Competition & Consumer Commission chairman Rod Sims has said the government must take immediate action to regulate the digital platforms due to the surge in generative AI. Left unchecked, he said, AI would leave consumers unaware of where information had come from. A report led by Chief Scientist Cathy Foley has raised concerns about AI’s impact on automation of jobs, authentication of information, breaches of privacy, and trust in democratic systems and private and public organisations. The Albanese government is right to be concerned. As with the media bargaining code, Australia has an opportunity to set a valuable example for the world to follow.