Albanese government considers AI-specific law
Australia is mulling over options that would impose mandatory guardrails on the use of artificial intelligence.
The Albanese government is mulling over options that would impose mandatory guardrails on the use of AI in a bid to ensure organisations safely use the technology.
A discussion paper due out on Thursday will outline three options to be considered over months-long consultations.
Two options include retrofitting existing legislation, while a third proposes a stand-alone Act mimicking European Union legislation.
They come as new voluntary AI standards are rolled out.
Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic said AI “guardrails” were needed because the vast majority of businesses were failing to establish “responsible practices”.
“Research that we’re releasing today from the National AI Centre shows that nearly 80 per cent of businesses in Australia think they’re doing the right thing, but only around 30 per cent are putting in place the responsible practices required to use AI,” he told the ABC on Thursday morning.
“So what we need to do is create that bridge between best intention and best practice.”
He said the government was trying to identify and communicate the AI risks to businesses and then “show them the guardrails … so they can deal with those risks”.
The proposed 10 mandatory safeguards largely focus on ensuring humans always have control when interacting with AI.
They would compel organisations developing AI to establish risk management processes, ensure human control or intervention, and create options for people to challenge AI decisions, such as a job rejection.
“People get that AI can do a lot of good things,” Mr Husic said.
“But clearly, the community’s concerned about the risks, and I think that it is the job of governments, working with businesses, to respond to that concern and put in place the things that will give the public comfort around the use of AI.”
He added there was “a lot of benefit” from using AI.
More to come
Originally published as Albanese government considers AI-specific law
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