Independent Member for Curtin Kate Chaney MP has released an AI Discussion Paper today outlining key areas of concern she believes the Albanese Government is failing to address amid the rapid uptake and deployment of artificial intelligence.
“The Federal Government cannot continue to take a passive, hands-off approach to AI policy. This approach means our future is being determined by overseas tech companies and the billionaires who run them,” Ms Chaney said.
“Despite the huge impacts that AI could have on our society, the Government has done remarkably little to prepare; almost nothing to tackle the risks, capture the opportunities and share the benefits of AI.”
Ms Chaney said the purpose of the Discussion Paper was to push the Government to take a more active approach to AI policy, by putting forward a series of practical policy recommendations – that could and should be pursued immediately.
The Discussion Paper, produced after extensive consultation with civil society, industry and constituents, identifies 18 policy areas the Government must act on across five broad goals: setting up the structures to govern AI policy; capturing opportunities; addressing current harms; preparing for emerging risks; and sharing the benefits of AI.
“These are all areas that the Government will need to address at some point. We cannot wait for complete certainty around the future of AI - that time may never come. AI development and deployment are moving rapidly without guardrails,” Ms Chaney said.
Ms Chaney noted her community had raised broad concerns about the harms being caused by AI right now, highlighting several issues as needing urgent government intervention.
“We took too long to act on social media, and now we’re making the same mistake with AI. Children are increasingly seeking companionship with AI bots, which can cause long-term psychological and social development problems. The Government should consider extending the under-16 social media ban to include all AI chatbots and companions that simulate emotional intimacy,” Ms Chaney said.
“The Government’s Digital Duty of Care issues paper released last week falls short of tackling the harms that AI chatbots and companions pose to users. AI tools should be safe by design.
“AI deepfakes, misinformation and disinformation are powering image-based abuse, scams and electoral fraud, as well as undermining trust in our democracy. Yet, the Government has done almost nothing to address these risks.
“We have Australian creators at loggerheads with AI companies over fair compensation under copyright law, while data centres are being approved without any obligation to meet the environmental, energy and community expectations owed to Australians.
“The benefits of AI are by no means guaranteed. The Government should set up a National AI Missions program to actively identify and pursue opportunities where Australia can lead, such as through investment in the potential for AI to supercharge medical and scientific research.
“We need to set ourselves up so that all Australians can share in the prosperity of the AI revolution. Otherwise, most of the economic growth will go to overseas tech companies. We must tax big tech; AI companies must pay their fair share.”
[ENDS]