The Productivity Commission has recommended the Government pause on strictly regulating AI.
The Commission advised the Government not to implement its planned “mandatory guardrails for high-risk AI” yet, saying tighter rules could jeopardise its economic benefits.
While the advice has been welcomed by business groups, artists and unions have raised concerns.
Productivity report
The Productivity Commission, a Government agency, was tasked in December with reviewing proposals to regulate AI and considering its productivity benefits.
Productivity refers to increasing output from the same number of hours worked.
The Commission has now handed down an interim report, saying AI “can extract useful insights from massive datasets in a fraction of a second”.
It said harnessing AI could add $116 billion to Australia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The Commission made seven draft recommendations, including that the Government pause its “guardrails”.
In a discussion paper published last year, the Government outlined ways to reduce “the chance of harms” occurring as a result of AI.
They included requiring humans to control AI systems and making it compulsory to label anything AI-generated.
The Commission also recommended the Government needed to consider reforms “to better facilitate the use of copyrighted materials, in the context of training AI models”.
Govt remarks
On Wednesday, Treasurer Jim Chalmers acknowledged concerns about the impact of AI on the workforce.
“I’m very conscious and attentive to the genuine concerns that workers can have about big changes in technology.”
However, he said: “The best way to lift living standards is to make our economy more productive.”
Chalmers said there should be “investment in people so that they’ve got the skills... to adapt and adopt technology in their work and in their lives.”
Your contribution ensures The Daily Aus can continue doing the work you love.
I want to give $10 monthly to help TDA keep doing the news.
Your details:
Opposition
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said there needed to be “guardrails” on AI.
Ley said she supports “embracing” AI, but told reporters there should be clear rules in place.
“It is not appropriate for big tech to steal the work of Australian artists, musicians, creators, news media, journalism, and use it for their own ends without paying for it.”
Concerns
The possibility of relaxed AI regulation has sparked concerns about workers losing their jobs or artists having copyrighted work used to train models.
The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, the union representing creative sectors, called unregulated AI a “blueprint for the wholesale theft of Australia’s art, media, and cultural heritage”.
Peak union body, the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), said the Productivity Commission’s report “offers nothing for working people”.
Business groups
Australian Industry Group chief Innes Willox welcomed the report, saying it encouraged “regulating behaviours, not the technology”.
“Misinformation, discrimination and unfair practices are already regulated under various pieces of existing regulation,” Willox said.
The Business Council of Australia also called the recommendations “sensible”.
“AI can help us work smarter, not harder,” CEO Bran Black said.
AI regulation
This month, the Government is hosting an ‘Economic Reform Roundtable’ to consider ideas to boost productivity and change the current tax system.
Big businesses, unions, and environmental groups will attend.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has flagged AI will be part of these discussions.
