Independent Member for Curtin Kate Chaney welcomes the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Australian Government and Anthropic as a sign the government is beginning to show long-overdue leadership on Artificial Intelligence (AI) – but warns it falls short of what is needed.

“So far, this government has taken a hands-off approach to AI. The National AI Plan does little to either capture the opportunities of AI or manage the risks. This is not good enough. This technology will reshape labour markets, transform scientific discovery, shift economic power and fundamentally change how information flows through society,” Ms Chaney said.

Ms Chaney said Australia must take a more active role in shaping how AI is developed and used.

“AI presents a dizzying array of opportunities and risks. And while there is still significant uncertainty around exactly how these technologies will impact our society, Australia must have a hand in shaping its future. Our future must be determined by Australian voices, not by tech oligarchs overseas.”

Ms Chaney raised concerns that the MOU focuses almost exclusively on distant or ‘frontier’ risks, while failing to address the real-world harms already emerging.

“The MOU is largely concerned with existential risks, such as loss of control or biological weapon threats. These risks matter, but so do the impacts we are already seeing today” Ms Chaney said.

“AI is undermining the critical thinking of our kids, supercharging scams and accelerating the spread of misinformation. The Government must deal with these harms as well.”

While welcoming the inclusion of collaboration with the Australian AI Safety Institute (AISI), Ms Chaney warned that chronic under-resourcing risks rendering the AISI ineffective.

“The AISI should be Australia’s first line of defence in assessing the risks of new AI models and tools. But without adequate funding, it will not be able to keep pace with AI or work credibly with international partners and within government. Currently, the AISI receives less than one-fifteenth of the annual funding of its UK equivalent. That should concern everyone,” Ms Chaney said.

Ms Chaney also highlighted data centres as both an opportunity and a risk.

“Data centres present an economic opportunity for Australia, but unless they are powered by renewables, they also threaten to completely undermine our net zero transition. Many of the data centre developers are huge multinational companies that can afford to bring on new renewable energy and storage to support the additional demand of the data centres,” Ms Chaney said.

On the uptake of AI within the Australian Public Service, Ms Chaney identifies the use of automated decision-making as a key concern.

“AI and automation technologies present a huge opportunity for the Government to increase the efficiency of service delivery, but only if done right,” Ms Chaney said.

“We have seen the impact of automation without safeguards in the disastrous Robodebt Scheme. Australia needs a legislated and mandatory framework for the use of automation in government, that ensures strong transparency, decision-level controls and provisions for review and oversight. We cannot afford a repeat of Robodebt.”

“Right now, important decisions about how AI shapes our future are being made by a small number of global technology companies and the billionaires who run them. The Australian Government must seize the reins and demonstrate decisive leadership in shaping our technological future.

“This MOU signals positive intent but Australians deserve stronger action.”

ENDS

Media enquiries: Cade Smith | Media and Communications Adviser Kate Chaney MP - Independent Federal Member for Curtin [email protected] | 0408 997 003