Australia has introduced its new national strategy for Artificial Intelligence (AI). In December last year, the government had unveiled a roadmap to rapidly scale up the adoption and use of AI technology across the country. The government also clarified that the existing legal framework will be used to deal with the potential risks and challenges related to AI.
**Three main goals to promote AI**
The Australian Government’s new plan focuses on three main areas. First, to invest extensively in advanced data centers to build a strong foundation for AI-based services and technology. Second, to ensure the safety of people amid the increasing use of AI. Third, to equip people with new AI-related skills to protect future jobs and prepare the workforce for new technologies. The government believes that AI is not only a driver of technological progress but can also be an important source of economic growth and new employment opportunities.
**AI regulation based on existing laws**
The government has indicated that no completely new laws will be introduced to regulate AI at this stage. Instead, AI-related risks will be managed using existing rules and legal frameworks. Government officials say Australia already has strong laws in place, which will be adapted to effectively deal with the new challenges posed by AI.
**Establishment of AI Safety Institute in 2026**
In May, the government announced the establishment of a dedicated AI Safety Institute, which will be launched in 2026. The main work of this institute will be to monitor the risks arising from generative AI and other emerging AI technologies. It will help government agencies identify potential risks, assess their impact and formulate effective strategies to deal with them.
**Pressure will increase on AI companies**
The impact of the new strategy will go far beyond government policies. In the future, age-based restrictions may be imposed on AI platforms, similar to those applied on social media. Additionally, AI service providers such as openai.com and gemini.google.com may need to incorporate more robust security measures into their models.
