The state government of South Australia has announced it will establish a Royal Commission into Artificial Intelligence following the state’s Premier, Peter Malinauskas, meeting with AI leaders during a recent visit to the United States.
“Within 72 hours of being on the ground and talking to people who are themselves developing the technology and using the technology, and them talking about the profound implications of what AI will do to our modern economy, I was absolutely convinced this is something we should do,” Malinauskas (pictured) told the ABC’s RN Breakfast a day after announcing the Royal Commission on July 10.
“This is something that we’re pursuing as a state government because, of course, within our federation, sub-national governments or states are responsible for a whole range of areas of service delivery that are quite separate to considerations of the federal government.”
Malinauskas contends that the current level of policy work surrounding AI and its impact does not “match the scale of technological changes that are coming”.
“A dedicated, independent Royal Commission will give the South Australian government the best advice and recommendations to best position our state now, and into the future, as artificial intelligence further develops,” Malinauskas said.
“We need a serious policy response regarding artificial intelligence across all aspects of society, whether it be schools, in industry, in public health or arts and culture.”
Business and industry bodies, unions, technology developers, academics, and creatives will all present evidence to the Commission, which will commence on October 1 2026. A final report will be delivered to the state government no later than July 1 2027.
Speaking to RN Breakfast earlier today, independent federal MP Kate Chaney suggested, however, that a Royal Commission was not the ideal vehicle to consider the matter.
“It’s very slow, and takes too long. I wrote a letter to the Coalition and some others a few weeks ago pushing for or seeking support for a joint standing committee on AI because I do think we need parliamentary oversight,” Chaney said.
“But Peter Malinauskas has at least recognised the urgency of this issue.”
Coalition MP Andrew Hastie also called for a federal response to the issue.
“I do think artificial intelligence has strategic, moral, and economic implications for the Australian people. And it’s really important that we look at this from a national perspective,” Hastie said in the wake of the Commission’s announcement.
“I think it should be a tripartisan committee that should examine the issues. Take as long as they need to ask the hard questions, take as many public submissions as possible, and see what comes of that.”
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