The National AI Plan commits the Australian Government to share the benefits of artifical intelligence, reduce inequality, and support and protect workers. The UTS Human Technology Institute (HTI) calls on the Government to act now to bring this commitment to life.

The National AI Plan doesn’t just set a vision; it commits the Government to action. Success will be judged on how quickly the Government fulfils its commitments. 

“Our country must be equally effective at addressing AI’s risks and grasping its opportunities. The plan correctly puts workers and communities at its centre,” said Professor Nicholas Davis, HTI Co-Director and former Head of Society and Innovation at the World Economic Forum.

"The challenge now is to move urgently from commitment to action, particularly on critical areas such as privacy reform.” 

“Businesses need to understand and trust the Australian Government’s policy settings for AI in order to invest in the technology itself, and in the governance needed to ensure AI is used responsibly.

"Confidence will build only if the Government acts swiftly on the commitments in this plan,” Professor Davis said.

Our country must be equally effective at addressing AI’s risks and grasping its opportunities. The plan correctly puts workers and communities at its centre

Professor Nicholas Davis

“The National AI Plan recognises a need to improve consumer protection, privacy, copyright and workplace laws,” said Professor Edward Santow, HTI Co-Director and Australia’s former Human Rights Commissioner.

"Australia’s failure to modernise our laws is causing real harm in the community, as we see with the rise of AI-enabled scams, deepfakes and abuse.

"The Government has already committed to reform, and the time for action is now.

“Our legal protections are only as good as our ways of applying and enforcing them.

"The plan acknowledges the important role of regulators in improving how Australians are protected from the harms that AI can bring.

"Now, the Government needs to say how it will support regulators as the organisations they oversee are reshaped by the rise of AI,” Professor Santow said.

About the Human Technology Institute

The Human Technology Institute (HTI) is at the forefront of driving the regulatory, governance and technical change needed to allow the benefits of digital technologies to be delivered in a way that uplifts our communities and upholds human rights.

News

Climate change is killing the plants of Uluṟu‑Kata Tjuṯa. Aṉangu traditional owners are concerned

Extreme temperatures combined with withering drought mean plants and animals on Aṉangu land are struggling to bounce back.

News

Exempting pensioners from private health rebate changes won’t make it fairer. Here’s what would

A pensioner carve-out would mostly protect comfortable part-pensioners, while missing younger families who are struggling most.

News

Home energy upgrades get a boost with new national resource

A new digital platform has been launched to support councils and community organisations deliver home energy upgrades.

News

Reinventing Australia's research and innovation system

Thought leaders and emerging voices gathered at UTS to explore how to foster a more inventive Australia.