In November 2019, Australia published its AI Technology Roadmap and AI Ethics Framework. The Roadmap aims to boost productivity, create jobs, and improve quality of life through AI development. It identifies three high-potential areas for AI specialisation : health, ageing, and disability; cities, towns, and infrastructure; and natural resources and environment.
The AI Ethics Framework provides guidance for businesses and governments on designing, developing, and implementing AI in Australia. It outlines eight AI Ethics Principles, including human-centered values, fairness, privacy protection, reliability and safety, transparency and explainability, and accountability.
Australia has actively engaged in public consultations on AI policy. In June 2023, the government launched a two-month public consultation on AI regulation, based on a policy paper and a technical report. The government issued an interim response to this consultation in January 2024, acknowledging the need to strengthen existing laws to address known risks presented by AI systems.
Australia is in the process of reforming its Privacy Act 1988. In February 2023, the Attorney-General's Department released a review of the Act, proposing 116 recommendations to strengthen personal information protection. The government has announced plans to strengthen the framework for personal information protection in response to this review.
The concept of algorithmic transparency is addressed in the AI Ethics Framework. However, there have been concerns about the use of AI in public administration, particularly regarding the "robodebt" scheme, which used an automated data-matching system for welfare compliance. This scheme faced legal challenges and was the subject of a Royal Commission, leading to significant reforms and a government apology.
In September 2023, Australia established the Artificial Intelligence in Government Taskforce to develop a safe, ethical, and responsible approach to AI application, policy, standards, and guidance across the government. The Taskforce identified four key principles for AI use in government, emphasising responsible deployment, transparency, privacy protection, and human-centred decision-making.
Australia has endorsed the OECD and G20 AI Principles and is a founding member of the Global Partnership on AI. The country has also participated in international efforts to address the responsible use of AI in military domains, including endorsing joint statements on autonomous weapons systems at the United Nations General Assembly.
Australia has a strong record on human rights, ranking highly in Freedom House reports. The country's AI strategy emphasises the importance of deploying AI responsibly and in compliance with fundamental human rights. Australia has also endorsed the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, although implementation details remain to be seen.
This country report is our interpretation and summary of the "CAIDP Artificial Intelligence & Democratic Values Index 2023". The full report can be found here - https://www.caidp.org/reports/aidv-2023/