Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher

Data and Digital Ministers have agreed on a nationally consistent approach to the safe and ethical use of artificial intelligence by governments.

Commonwealth, state and territory governments agreed to and released the National framework for assurance of AI in government after meeting in Darwin today.

Governments will align their assurance of AI use to this framework, which sets nationally consistent approach based on Australia’s AI Ethics Principles.

Minister for Finance and the Australian Public Service, Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, said the framework is a key step to gaining public confidence and trust in governments’ safe and responsible use of AI.

“Today we’ve agreed across all levels of government that the rights, wellbeing, and interests of people should be put first whenever a jurisdiction considers using AI in policy and service delivery.

“Trust in the community is crucial if we are going to be able to successfully integrate AI into the existing suite of services that governments of all levels provide, and this framework takes a big step forward in building that trust.

“People should be able to go about their lives, anywhere across Australia without anticipating operational differences between governments’ use of AI.

“This national framework shows that when all governments can work together and share individual experiences and insights, we can get a great result for Australians and improve the way government services are provided to the community.”

The framework affords flexibility for a jurisdiction’s unique needs while defining consistent expectations for oversight of AI and people’s experience of government.

Minister for Industry and Science, the Hon Ed Husic MP, said the reality is governments of all shapes and sizes will need to use AI to do their work faster, and more efficiently.

“However, making sure the public has trust in the way technology is used by governments is crucial.

“That’s why this Framework is so important.  It forms part of our approach as a Federal government to promote the safe and responsible use of AI.”

NSW Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, the Hon Jihad Dib MP, said governments recognise the scale and nature of AI developments can be uncertain.

“It is important to have national consistency on something as significant as AI, and this builds on the work NSW is doing to guide the responsible and ethical use of AI within government.

“This principles-based national framework enables flexibility and adaptability while also setting parameters on the safe and responsible use of this technology, which has numerous benefits if used appropriately.

“The framework will assist governments to develop, procure and deploy AI to benefit the community by transforming public service delivery and enhancing societal, economic and environmental wellbeing.”

The national framework is available to the public on the Data and Digital Ministers Meeting section within the Australian Government Department of Finance website: 
https://www.finance.gov.au/government/public-data/data-and-digital-ministers-meeting