What we can expect from AI policymaking

AI is advancing faster than most laws or the people who enforce them can keep up.

It is already shaping the way we live and work through things like automated job scanning tools or models that produce images that are indistinguishable from human creations.

In Australia, the conversation about how AI should be regulated has leapt from internet echo chambers on tech forums to debates in Parliament as leaders seek to strike a balance between innovation and accountability.

AI governance isn’t just about boundaries. It’s about defending people’s rights, ensuring data use is fair and transparent, and supporting new technology we can trust. So what’s next?

Here’s what we can expect as Australia and the rest of the world begin to implement real rules around AI.

1. Recognizing different types of AI and their risks

Before we talk about politics we need to talk about what is actually regulated. There are many different types of artificial intelligenceeach has its own strengths and weaknesses. Some are fully functional, such as navigation tools or chatbots. Others who can write, create, or code pose more ethical problems. Policymakers are starting to map out these categories. Europe’s Artificial Intelligence Law It separates low-risk systems from high-risk systems.

The goal is not to slow or stop progress. It’s just a matter of setting reasonable expectations. When developers and users know what rules apply to what types of systems, innovation can continue to thrive without putting the public at risk.

2. Who is responsible for AI’s inevitable mistakes?

Accountability is one of the most difficult parts of managing AI. When something goes wrong, someone needs to be held accountable, whether it’s misguided medical advice, a hiring system that favors one group over another, or deepfakes spreading misinformation. The problem is that the chain of responsibility is not always clearly cut.

This uncertainty is what the Australian Government’s Safe and Responsible AI agenda aims to address and Interim response issued early 2024 sketched what these guardrails might look like. The basic principle is simple: People, not algorithms, are responsible.

Here’s a recent example of why this matters: A report Deloitte created for the Australian government with the help of artificial intelligence turned out to contain fabricated sources and misinformation. This is exactly the kind of failure that “safe and responsible AI” is trying to avoid. We would like to remind everyone that no matter how advanced your system is, humans should be involved in auditing and reviewing data.

3. Ensuring AI remains fair

Have you ever produced a result with AI and noticed that what you got seemed biased or slightly skewed? These systems are biased because they are built on data created by humans, and humans come with their own biases and blind spots.

With this in mind, some regulators in Australia are already taking action to make AI more fair and accountable. Pilot Assurance Framework It clearly outlines the various steps for testing systems and documenting the decision-making process. The goal is not to make AI perfect (which is impossible), but to make it accountable. Developers are being asked to check for skewed results early, work with more diverse data sets, and focus on fairness as part of the design process, not as an afterthought.

This is actually about honesty. The answer is not to pretend bias doesn’t exist, but instead to confront it and address it wherever possible. When people understand how an AI system makes its decisions (and know that the people behind it are working to ensure fairness), they are much more likely to trust the technology.

4. Being upfront about the use of artificial intelligence

We deserve to know what’s going on when we interact with technology that makes decisions on our behalf. Whether it’s a chatbot that answers a health question or a program that screens job applications, people should be told when AI is involved and how its details are handled. A quick note like “Created with the help of AI” can reveal this relationship and make it feel respectful rather than secretive or sneaky.

And then there is the issue of consent, an issue that is increasingly coming to the fore with Australia’s emerging “Safe and Responsible AI” framework. Giving people the right to see how their information is used, delete or opt-out helps build trust. This is a statement that technology is not taking control.

In the long run, being open and honest is not just a legal box to tick. This is what makes new tools something people can easily use and ensures innovation is based on trust rather than confusion.

5. Creating a domestic ethical AI industry

Australia’s AI industry is still in its infancy but is starting to come into its own. What makes it stand out is the focus on doing things responsibly from the start. Rather than chasing fashion or competing to produce the biggest models, there is a growing belief in Australian-developed AI to focus on building it fairly, trustworthy and with integrity.

organizations such as the National Artificial Intelligence Center (NAIC) and CSIRO’s Data61 department We are trying to move in this direction. They bring together businesses, researchers and government agencies to increase local capacity while prioritizing transparency and trust. A big part of this is helping smaller Australian developers access better data and training resources so they can compete fairly without taking shortcuts.

We’re also hearing more and more about the benefits of leveraging diverse local datasets that are truly representative of our population, rather than resorting to global models that may be off the mark. The ultimate goal here is not just to make AI work, but to make AI reflect who we are. If Australia continues to lead development with this kind of attitude, then we will have world-class technology that is truly people-focused.

AI ethics and governance are starting to feel real. They influence how Australia creates and adopts new technology, not just in the laboratory but also in everyday life. Essentially, the goal is to keep innovation moving forward while keeping people protected and informed.

What’s encouraging is how thoughtful the conversation has become. Businesses are looking beyond quick wins. Academics and researchers emphasize fairness, security and transparency. Every day, Australians also think about where their data goes and how these systems affect them.

If we can sustain this growing awareness, Australia will have a real opportunity to show the world what responsible AI looks like. The future of this technology doesn’t have to seem distant or complicated. It can be something that people truly understand and trust.