South Australian plan to unlock AI to boost public sector productivity

Artificial intelligence is set to revolutionise SA’s public sector under a new nation-leading plan to drive productivity. Find out how it will look.

A plan to boost public sector productivity by “unlocking the full potential of artificial intelligence” to cut costs and streamline services is being pitched as nation-leading.

Assistant Minister for Artificial Intelligence and the Digital Economy Michael Brown on Friday will launch the nation’s first government Office for AI.

This is billed as co-ordinating pilot projects to demonstrate how AI can “reduce government costs, streamline services and free up frontline staff to focus on what matters most”.

Backed with $28m from June’s state budget, the office will “spearhead innovative projects leveraging the immense potential of artificial intelligence across key sectors such as healthcare, policing, social services and public administration”.

Assistant Minister for Artificial Intelligence Michael Brown (right) and Premier Peter Malinauskas at a swearing in ceremony at Government House in January. Picture: Brett Hartwig

The office, eventually employing five staff, will craft policy, strategy and ethical guardrails, which Mr Brown said was designed to help “pioneer the responsible adoption of this emerging technology for the benefit of all South Australians”.

“We want every advance in AI to translate into tangible benefits for our state. Imagine healthcare workers spending more time at the bedside and police officers less time on paperwork,” he said.

“That’s the practical impact this program aims to deliver. We are now recruiting for a dedicated team to deliver technology that is responsible, ethical and genuinely impactful.”

An AI data centre at the SK networks stand during the MWC (Mobile World Congress), the world's biggest mobile fair, in Barcelona in March. Picture: Manaure Quintero/AFP

Public sector agencies wanting funds for AI-driven ideas will be able to apply for funding through the new office.

In an interview with The Advertiser on July 4, Mr Brown said the government was examining AI to drive productivity across the public sector.

This included developing and trialling secure voice transcription tools for doctors and police, plus an AI tool to slash planning assessment times from up to a fortnight to just minutes.

Mr Brown said voice transcription could boost efficiency “so that doctors can spend their time treating patients and police officers can spend their time investigating crime rather than having to produce reports”.

Metro Homes and the Hickinbotham Group are participating in a trial that is expected to expand to other larger SA builders, ahead of full industry and market adoption by December.

Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia has met with US tech companies to discuss AI opportunities and vowed to present “a future-focused policy agenda” for next March’s state election that positioned the state as a national leader “in responsible, real-world AI adoption, that boosts our economy, creates jobs and modernises government services”.

Originally published as South Australian plan to unlock AI to boost public sector productivity