Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the government will introduce a world-leading artificial intelligence framework to ensure Australia can capture the opportunity, share the benefits and keep Australians safe.
A set of Australian Standards for AI will build on the Data Centre Expectations policy with Australian values as the benchmark to ensure AI works in Australia’s interests.
Prime Minister Albanese said, “This world leading framework is about Australia choosing to shape the future rather than letting the future of AI shape us.
“This framework is about protecting our national interests and ensuring certainty for growth, jobs and investment.
“If we set our national standards high, then we can make AI stand for Australia’s interests.”
The government says the new standards will set out clear rules for large data centres, including a legal obligation to underwrite their own new power supply, pay their full share of connection costs so energy bills are not impacted, reduce power when needed to strengthen the grid, and be as water efficient as possible.
The Federal Government will also work with State and Territories to ensure large data centres are built in the most appropriate locations, and with input from local communities.
“Effective today, the Office of AI will be established within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet to accelerate implementation of the Australian Standards on a national level,” the Prime Minister said.
He said the Government’s approach would be considered by National Cabinet in August, with standards expected to be legislated early next year.
The AI Standards will deliver greater clarity, speed up approvals and streamline the process for verifying compliance with energy, water, safety and other requirements.
The Government will also ensure the strongest possible protection for Australian artists and media.
The Government will also outline its whole-of-government AI consumer safety priorities in coming weeks, building on the recent establishment of the AI Safety Institute.
“The Government has every confidence that Australia can seize this moment of technological advancement and make it our own, while ensuring AI stands for Australia’s interests,” he said.
Alliance response
Professor Enrico Coiera, Director of the Centre for Health Informatics, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, and Founder, Australian Alliance for AI in Healthcare, said AI sovereignty was critical to ensuring AI in healthcare develops on Australia’s terms, not those of overseas technology providers.
“The new national policy roadmap for AI in healthcare (to be released 22 July by the Australian Alliance for AI in Healthcare)—developed through extensive consultation with more than 96 organisations across government, industry, healthcare, consumer groups and peak bodies—argues that healthcare requires special attention because of its complexity, sensitivity and reliance on trusted patient data,” Professor Coiera said.
“Without sovereign AI capabilities, Australia risks exporting valuable health data and importing AI systems that may not reflect local populations, services or needs.
“The roadmap calls for local governance, infrastructure and expertise to reduce dependence on international providers and protect Australians from emerging risks. Its message is clear: the pace of AI change is accelerating—this is not the time to walk, but to run.”
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