Editorial: Rules needed for effective and fair use of AI revolution
The Albanese Government needs to provide the legislative framework in which AI can be harnessed safely and fairly so big tech companies pay for what they use.
It sounds like a quiz game you might play with your mates at the pub or over dinner.
What have been humankind’s most important achievements?
The harnessing of fire? Metallurgy? The wheel? Electricity? The steam engine? The internal combustion engine? Vaccination and antibiotics? The silicon chip? Satellite technology? The internet? There are plenty more.
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Artificial intelligence. Or more commonly, AI. It only has two letters but its reach and impact will be felt from A to Z.
We are at a fascinating, super exciting and pivotal moment.
The AI revolution will touch every single industry, and current and future generations.
Changes are coming at breakneck speed.
AI can give us superpowers if it is used properly. But it will present challenges.
All of which makes it crucial that the Government provides the necessary leadership and legislation to make the best of the opportunity that lies ahead.
With that in mind it is encouraging that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has signalled he will play a key role.
In a major speech on Wednesday Mr Albanese outlined the focus he was putting on AI.
He said AI was already part of our daily lives: “It’s changing the way our universities teach and the way students learn.
“It’s helping small business owners cut the time they spend on paperwork. It’s driving productivity and it’s driving discovery. It’s building new screening tools for cancer and disease.
“It is a critical — and urgent — innovation priority for our defence force and security agencies,” he said.
The Government would establish a set of Australian Standards for AI with the aim of taking legislation to Parliament early next year.
There would be rules around where the necessary data centres would be built and the power and water they used.
The creative industries and news media will be a major part of the strength of AI, so the Government needs to play its part in ensuring the models are as effective as possible so we can all get maximum benefit.
Importantly, Mr Albanese acknowledged the need to protect these industries.
“Australian writers, musicians, artists and journalists must retain ownership and control of their work,” Mr Albanese said.
“An artist’s creative endeavour is their work and their property.
“No company should use Australian books, music, art or news to build or train AI without the artist’s control.
“That includes the artist’s control of the price and value of their work. Anything less, is theft,” Mr Albanese said.
A fundamental part of protecting our democracy is ensuring citizens can have open and well-informed exchanges of views about the topics that shape their lives.
Australian journalists and media organisations have long provided the news and views that involves.
The Government needs to provide the legislative framework in which AI can be harnessed safely and fairly so big tech companies pay for what they use and Australian content and jobs are protected and maximised.
