The future of AI regulation in Australia

The Human Technology Institute is working with civil society, industry, and government to explore how Australia should regulate amid the rise of artificial intelligence (AI).

After several false dawns, AI has moved from the laboratory and into the real world. It is growing exponentially – with use cases limited only by our imagination. Recent research conducted by HTI reveals that two-thirds of Australian organisations are already using or actively planning to use AI systems. 

Are our laws keeping up? Are they encouraging positive innovation, while protecting Australians against harm? 

To date, there has been a particular focus on the ethics of AI, at the expense of considering the more fundamental question: what does the law require? 

HTI’s new program of work, The Future of AI Regulation in Australia, aims to address this challenge. It will evaluate the gaps in Australian law and policy, with a view to understanding how our regulatory system could be improved to better understand and respond to the risks and benefits posed by AI. 

HTI will identify priority reform and work with stakeholders to identify best-practice regulatory approaches here and overseas. The final report will set out a pathway towards an economy that relies on trustworthy AI. 

Objectives 

HTI will embark on this program with the following goals in mind: 

1. Produce independent, trusted, internationally informed analysis on the regulatory challenges posed by AI, and where reform is most needed.

2. Improve understanding and facilitate constructive, balanced public discussions across civil society, industry, and government about the opportunities and risks posed by AI for Australia.

3. Help policy makers and industry bodies identify short- and long-term reform opportunities to enable Australia harness the societal and economic opportunities presented by AI while protecting from harms. 

4. Improve collaboration on AI policy making by bringing together diverse experts from government, industry, academia and civil society. 

HTI will engage and consult with a range of diverse stakeholders, including from academia, industry, government and civil society. To ground the program in national and international expertise, it will be guided by an expert reference group (ERG), made up of representatives from civil society, industry, government and academia. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HTI’S PROJECT, THE FUTURE OF AI REGULATION IN AUSTRALIA CONTACT HTI@UTS.EDU.AU. 

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.