Now, Australia’s government is taking things a step further with an unprecedented push to regulate artificial intelligence (AI). Treasurer Jim Chalmers recently announced a sweeping review to determine whether new laws are necessary, or if existing laws can adequately regulate this new technology. This initiative comes amid a growing global conversation surrounding AI governance, with various countries exploring their own approaches to manage the implications of this rapidly evolving field.
Chalmers told the summit Australia urgently needs a national AI development plan which will set the agenda for how Australians can thrive through AI technology. He reiterated the call for development of a national AI strategy. That strategy must set the direction for how the federal government will address these challenges and pursue these opportunities. Good governance should be human-centric. It should empower groups that embrace AI in a responsible manner and ensure the benefits reach every single worker. The government is committed to the development of a National AI Capability Plan. From these, the idea is to increase private sector investment, strengthen industrial capacity, and raise AI workforce skills including through retraining people displaced by AI progress.
The international landscape is a mirror of that same urgency to seize AI’s promise and mitigate its perils. The United Kingdom plans to consult the public on AI legislation, advocating for a proportionate approach that aligns with existing laws. The US has announced their own AI action plan. Specifically, it directs the labor department to spend money on quick retraining programs for workers displaced by AI technologies.
Daniel Popovski, a prominent expert in the area, recently highlighted key issues surrounding the emergence of ‘agentic AI.’ These largely autonomous systems are often able to function with little to no human supervision, making the stakes especially high. He noted, “Agentic AI is not just about producing content like chatbots do. These are autonomous systems run on very little human oversight. That raises new and urgent questions about accountability, transparency, and workplace governance that cannot be ignored.”
Popovski cautioned against framing debates around AI solely in terms of job losses, highlighting the technology’s potential for growth and augmentation if managed appropriately. The truth is, there is tremendous opportunity for expansion and enhancement, but only if the change is undertaken thoughtfully. The challenge is making sure Australians are prepared and supported through these changes so that AI works for people, not against them,” he remarked.
Unions and the tech sector in Australia recently banded together to develop the concept into a revolutionary model. This deal guarantees that creatives will be compensated fairly for the work used to train AI systems. Union leader Sally McManus emphasized their firm commitment to developing a model that guarantees people will be fairly compensated for their labor. She stressed the near unanimous consensus of the group that this is the initiative they want to focus on. So that’s a big thing.
China, for instance, has recently released its Global AI Governance Action Plan. This flagship One Planet Declaration demands more international collaboration and emphasizes inclusiveness and environmental sustainability. The Chinese government’s push for collaborative governance in AI further highlights the necessity of global dialogue regarding ethical standards in technology.
Sister nation New Zealand has taken enormous steps, having recently published their first national AI strategy. They’re making sure that oversight stays within the parameters of current law. The UK is in the process of developing a regulatory framework that fits easily with its existing overarching legal framework.
Australia is moving ahead with its review and development plans. I think it’s of utmost importance to pay attention to what’s happening with AI integration and how it will affect every sector. Innes Willox, the head of the national employer group Employers Australia, underscored the dangers for employers. He stated, “I made the point that there’s risk not just for workers. Business owners are looking at their own future or extinction.”
Australia’s effort to formulate an effective national strategy on AI will be crucial in navigating the complexities of this transformative technology. With possible productivity increases more than 4 percent, the federal government understands the economic threats lurking under the surface as well as the economic benefits, in addition to those challenges.
