Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is taking direct oversight of the government’s handling of Australia’s AI rollout by establishing an Office of AI in his own Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Albanese will announce the new office, which starts operation immediately, in a major speech on Wednesday. Extracts were released ahead of delivery.
His message will be positive: that handled properly, AI can be made to work in Australia’s interests.
The address emphasises the whole-of-government approach to be taken to the rapidly developing technology that is presenting vast opportunities, especially for productivity, but also raising widespread concerns on many fronts. These range from potential job losses to issues around data centres.
An Essential poll in May showed the considerable suspicion around AI: 36% said it carried more risk than opportunity, with only 22% saying it carried more opportunity than risk; 41% saw the risks and opportunities as about the same.
