Despite commissioning another process into how Australia might deal with artificial intelligence, the Labor government will soon have to stop studying and start making key decisions about how (and how much) to regulate the rapidly ballooning technology.<\/p>\n
Like many regulation questions in the tech space \u2013 see the under-16s social media ban<\/a>, the long-delayed response to Peta Murphy\u2019s gambling advertising report, and questions over the news bargaining incentive \u2013 any move is likely to raise hackles of at least half, probably more, of the participants in the discussion.<\/p>\n The government finds itself caught at the nexus of business groups itching for productivity gains, unions fearful of wide swathes being cut through at-risk workforces, big tech companies eager for carveouts<\/a>, and ordinary Australians pinballing between the massive benefits and the extraordinary risks of thinking machines, all-knowing search engines and uncanny chat bots.<\/p>\n A week on from Jim Chalmers\u2019 economic reform summit<\/a>, we\u2019re not much closer to knowing where the Albanese government will land on questions of whether overarching new legislation is needed.<\/p>\n Industry minister, Tim Ayres, is overseeing a national AI capability plan, expected by year\u2019s end; a \u201cgap analysis\u201d, announced as an outcome of the reform roundtable, is more of a review of existing processes already on foot around AI in the areas of health, privacy, copyright and online safety. Other work focuses on incorporating AI into the public service, boosting investment in data centres, training for AI skills, and working in international forums to help shape global rules frameworks.<\/p>\n