The federal government has released a discussion paper on how the Australian Government can mitigate any potential risks of AI and support safe and responsible AI practices.

The paper focuses on governance mechanisms to ensure AI is developed and used safely and responsibly in Australia. These mechanisms can include regulations, standards, tools, frameworks, principles and business practices. The department will use feedback to inform consideration across government on any appropriate regulatory and policy responses.

A second paper on generative AI commissioned by the National Science and Technology Council probes the questions:

• What are the opportunities and risks of applying large language models (LLMs) and multimodal foundation models (MFMs) learning technologies over the next two, five and ten years?

• What are some examples of strategies that have been put in place internationally by other advanced economies since the launch of models like ChatGPT to address the potential opportunities and impacts of artificial intelligence (AI)?

The paper identifies that generative AI will affect creative industries such as the design professions in as yet unknown ways, creating risks as well as opportunities. Australia currently may not have sufficient skills or the right policy settings in relation to education, ethics, governance and regulation to manage the introduction of this technology.