Australia to establish government AI office, curb data centers' water use

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ANTHONY ALBANESE. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivers a speech titled ‘AI in Australia’s Interests’ at The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia, July 15, 2026.

Jeremy Piper/Reuters

'This is our time to decide what AI looks like here in Australia. It is not a question of if or when AI will transform our economy, we are past that,' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says

SYDNEY, Australia – Australia will create an office at the heart of the government to manage the development of artificial intelligence standards and force data centers to be net producers of energy and limit their water usage, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday, July 15.