Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unveiled a new national framework to manage the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence in Australia. The strategy includes the creation of a dedicated Office of AI within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to oversee the implementation of new standards. These measures aim to balance the potential benefits of AI technology with the need to protect national interests, including energy security, intellectual property, and worker rights. The government plans to have these standards legislated by early next year following consultation with state and territory leaders.
A key focus of the new policy is the regulation of energy-intensive data centres. Under the proposed rules, operators will be required to underwrite their own power supplies and demonstrate efficiency in water and land use. This move is designed to prevent AI infrastructure from placing undue strain on the national electricity grid or increasing costs for everyday consumers. The government emphasizes that these requirements will ensure that the growth of the digital economy does not come at the expense of environmental sustainability or community infrastructure.
Beyond infrastructure, the framework addresses the protection of creative industries and the workforce. The government has pledged to prevent AI companies from using Australian books, music, art, or news to train their models without the creator's control. Additionally, the plan includes a focus on AI safety in the workplace and the regulation of automated decision-making within government agencies. These steps are intended to ensure that as AI becomes more integrated into the economy, it remains fair, transparent, and accountable to the public.