Gov agencies have six months to disclose how they use AI

Federal agencies aside from those in Defence and intelligence circles have until the end of February  next year to publish statements “outlining their approach to AI adoption and use”.

The mandatory requirement is contained in a new policy [pdf] to guide the safe and responsible use of AI in the Australian Public Service (APS), that comes into effect September 1.

It contains two mandatory requirements - to make someone, likely a technology executive, accountable for implementing the policy, and the preparation of a transparency statement.

“Agencies must make publicly available a statement outlining their approach to AI adoption and use within six months of this policy taking effect, as directed by the Digital Transformation Agency,” the policy states.

“The statement must be reviewed and updated annually or sooner, should the agency make significant changes to their approach to AI.

“This statement must provide the public with relevant information about the agency’s use of AI including information on compliance with this policy, measures to monitor effectiveness of deployed AI systems, [and] efforts to protect the public against negative impacts.”

Staff training on AI is “strongly recommended” by the policy but not listed as being mandatory.

A key consideration in setting the mandatory requirements was trust, and particularly a view of public expectations that the “government be an exemplar of safe and responsible adoption and use of AI technologies.”

“One of the biggest challenges to the successful adoption of AI is a lack of public trust around government’s adoption and use,” the policy states.

“Lack of public trust acts as a handbrake on adoption. 

“The public is concerned about how their data is used, a lack of transparency and accountability in how AI is deployed and the way decision-making assisted by these technologies affects them.”

The government said in a statement that the policy is designed “to complement and strengthen - not duplicate - existing frameworks, legislation and practices that touch upon government’s use of AI.” 

“This policy must be read and applied alongside existing frameworks and laws to ensure agencies meet all their obligations,” it said.

Minister for Finance and the APS Katy Gallagher added that the policy “provides agencies important advice and direction to ensure public servants are using AI wisely, so that Australians can have confidence that we are using AI in the right way.”