(Bloomberg) — The Australian government has unveiled options for mandatory measures for high-risk artificial intelligence research and development, including instituting “meaningful” human oversight and ensuring all AI-created content is clearly labeled.
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Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic unveiled 10 potential mandatory guidelines for consultation in Canberra on Thursday, while introducing a voluntary safety standard that takes effect immediately. A report by the Tech Council of Australia estimated that generative AI could be worth as much as A$115 billion ($77.2 billion) a year to the country’s economy by 2030.
Regulating artificial intelligence is one of the “most complex” challenges facing governments globally, Husic said. “The Australian Government is determined that we put in place measures that ensure the safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence.”
Australia is the latest developed country to explore the management of artificial intelligence, a technology that is rapidly developing around the world, raising concerns about its potential impact on workers, the creative industries and the spread of misinformation.
The European Union introduced sweeping regulations in March, while the U.S. and U.K. are still considering their approaches to the technology. The Chinese government has been closely monitoring the country’s developing AI industry, introducing 24 guidelines by the end of 2023.
In January, Husic set up a panel of experts to assess regulations around artificial intelligence, including whether the measures should be mandatory or voluntary and what constitutes a “risky” application of the technology.
The mandatory measures proposed by the expert panel this week include:
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Enabling human control or intervention in an AI system to achieve meaningful human oversight
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Inform end users about AI-driven decisions, interactions with AI, and AI-generated content
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Establishing processes for people affected by AI systems to challenge their use or outcomes
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Be transparent with other organizations in the AI supply chain about data, models and systems to help them effectively address risks
The ten restrictions will be implemented immediately on a voluntary basis. The government will consult on the possibility of making them mandatory for high-risk AI research and development in the future.
Husic said on Thursday that the consultation period for the proposed reforms would last until October 4, after which the new measures would be enshrined in law.
(Updates with comments from the minister.)
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