Australia is planning to set up a risk advisory board to mitigate the risks of artificial intelligence, as announced by the government on Wednesday. By doing so, it becomes the latest country to increase its oversight of artificial intelligence technology.
Additionally, the government stated that it plans to work with industry bodies to introduce and implement a range of guidelines. This would include encouraging technology companies to watermark and label their AI-generated content.
Ed Husic, the Minister for Science and Industry, noted that AI was forecast to grow the economy but lacked clarity and was inconsistent in the business sector and its utility.
“There’s also a trust issue around the technology itself, and that low trust is becoming a handbrake against the uptake of technology, and that’s something we’ve got to confront,” he told reporters.
Although Australia established the world’s first eSafety Commissioner in 2015, it has lagged behind some nations in AI regulation.
In comparison to other nations, such as the European Union, Australia’s initial guidelines will be voluntary, while in the EU, they are mandatory for AI technology companies.
Interestingly, Australia opened a consultation on AI last year, receiving over 500 responses. Based on these responses, the government aimed to differentiate between low and high-risk applications. Low-risk applications include AI filtering spam emails, while high-risk applications involve the manipulation of content, also known as deepfakes.
A full response to the consultation is expected to be released later this year by the Australian government.
Such initiatives by governments might lead the way in mitigating the risks of artificial intelligence nationwide or statewide. This large-scale effort, although time-consuming, might be a crucial step for many emerging nations in addressing the risks of artificial intelligence.
