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The federal government has announced the creation of a multi-agency taskforce to examine the benefits – and potential risks – of artificial intelligence (AI) for the Australian Public Service (APS).
The Digital Transformation Agency and Department of Industry, Science and Resources will head up the taskforce, supported by the Australian Taxation Office and the departments of Finance, Health and Aged Care, Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and Home Affairs.
As reported by The Mandarin, Katy Gallagher, Minister for the Public Service, said that AI has the potential to “revolutionise the way we live and work” but that the technology also comes with the need to use it responsibly.
“AI has the potential to improve productivity within the APS and make government services better for all Australians,” Minister Gallagher said in a statement.
“However, as the robodebt royal commission has shown, the unmitigated use of advanced technologies also has the potential to cause harm and undermine trust in government.”
The taskforce has six months to propose a set of guidelines on how the government and APS can utilise AI responsibly and also keep pace with developments in the field.
Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic was similarly bullish about what the taskforce can deliver.
“The government can lead by example by safely and responsibly harnessing the benefits of AI technologies,” Minister Husic said. “Our safe and responsible AI in Australia consultation is reinforcing that message loud and clear.”
“The new AI use in government taskforce combines a wealth of experience in the field of AI with broader perspectives from across the APS, and I look forward to the results of their work.”
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
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