[Australia] Mandatory safeguards for AI tools

The Australian government has introduced its response to the rapid rise in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The plan will impose hard rules on the highest-risk technologies but interventions in low-risk AI will be less stringent, to allow its continued growth, ABC News reports.

In addition to the safeguards, the nation’s industry minister announced plans for AI-generated content to be labelled so it cannot be mistaken for genuine written content.

AI could potentially add hundreds of billions to the Australian economy and boost pay packets and employee wellbeing, however, low public trust in AI technologies endures and the government reportedly heard widespread concern in its consultations regarding risks to jobs, discrimination and other social harms.

A study released this week by the International Monetary Fund revealed that AI was likely to impact about 60 per cent of all jobs in advanced economies. Around half of those would probably see productivity benefits from AI, with the other half negatively impacted. 

On January 17, Industry Minister Ed Husic laid out the government's initial response, committing to a "risk-based" approach with the ability to respond to AI technologies as the landscape evolves.

Under the government proposal, mandatory "safeguards" would reportedly be applied to high-risk AI such as self-driving vehicle software, tools to predict the likelihood of recidivism or that filter job applications for an ideal candidate.

High-risk AI could require independent testing before and after release, ongoing audits and mandatory labelling where AI has been used.

Dedicated roles within organisations using high-risk AI could also be mandated, to ensure someone takes responsibility for ensuring AI is used safely, the proposal said.

Additionally, the government will begin work with industry on a possible voluntary AI content label, including introducing "watermarks" to allow AI content to be identified by other software, such as the anti-cheating tools used in higher education.

The minister reportedly said he was prepared to make AI content labels and watermarks if necessary.

"The technology will evolve, we understand that, and while a lot of people will want to use the technology for good, there is always going to be someone motivated with ill will, bad intent, and we're going to have to shape our laws accordingly," Mr Husic said.

"So if it does require a more mandatory response we will do so."

The risk-based approach will also allow the government to keep the path clear for innovation in the sector so that Australia can make the most of new technologies.

Currently, AI is covered under privacy, copyright, competition and other laws, however, the government said it was clear existing laws did not adequately prevent harms from AI before they occur.

Mr Husic said the government was listening to the concerns of Australians.

“We have heard loud and clear that Australians want stronger guardrails to manage higher-risk AI," Mr Husic said.

“These immediate steps will start building the trust and transparency in AI that Australians expect."

Kate Pounder - Tech Council of Australia CEO - told ABC News that the government's proposal struck a good balance between enabling innovation and ensuring AI was developed safely.

Ms Pounder reportedly said Australia must also look beyond regulation towards ensuring the workforce is skilled for AI, research funded and digital literacy in the community.

Source: ABC News

(Quotes via original reporting)

The Australian government has introduced its response to the rapid rise in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The plan will impose hard rules on the highest-risk technologies but interventions in low-risk AI will be less stringent, to allow its continued growth, ABC News reports.

In addition to the safeguards, the nation’s industry minister announced plans for AI-generated content to be labelled so it cannot be mistaken for genuine written content.

AI could potentially add hundreds of billions to the Australian economy and boost pay packets and employee wellbeing, however, low public trust in AI technologies endures and the government reportedly heard widespread concern in its consultations regarding risks to jobs, discrimination and other social harms.

A study released this week by the International Monetary Fund revealed that AI was likely to impact about 60 per cent of all jobs in advanced economies. Around half of those would probably see productivity benefits from AI, with the other half negatively impacted. 

On January 17, Industry Minister Ed Husic laid out the government's initial response, committing to a "risk-based" approach with the ability to respond to AI technologies as the landscape evolves.

Under the government proposal, mandatory "safeguards" would reportedly be applied to high-risk AI such as self-driving vehicle software, tools to predict the likelihood of recidivism or that filter job applications for an ideal candidate.

High-risk AI could require independent testing before and after release, ongoing audits and mandatory labelling where AI has been used.

Dedicated roles within organisations using high-risk AI could also be mandated, to ensure someone takes responsibility for ensuring AI is used safely, the proposal said.

Additionally, the government will begin work with industry on a possible voluntary AI content label, including introducing "watermarks" to allow AI content to be identified by other software, such as the anti-cheating tools used in higher education.

The minister reportedly said he was prepared to make AI content labels and watermarks if necessary.

"The technology will evolve, we understand that, and while a lot of people will want to use the technology for good, there is always going to be someone motivated with ill will, bad intent, and we're going to have to shape our laws accordingly," Mr Husic said.

"So if it does require a more mandatory response we will do so."

The risk-based approach will also allow the government to keep the path clear for innovation in the sector so that Australia can make the most of new technologies.

Currently, AI is covered under privacy, copyright, competition and other laws, however, the government said it was clear existing laws did not adequately prevent harms from AI before they occur.

Mr Husic said the government was listening to the concerns of Australians.

“We have heard loud and clear that Australians want stronger guardrails to manage higher-risk AI," Mr Husic said.

“These immediate steps will start building the trust and transparency in AI that Australians expect."

Kate Pounder - Tech Council of Australia CEO - told ABC News that the government's proposal struck a good balance between enabling innovation and ensuring AI was developed safely.

Ms Pounder reportedly said Australia must also look beyond regulation towards ensuring the workforce is skilled for AI, research funded and digital literacy in the community.

Source: ABC News

(Quotes via original reporting)