Australia’s government has just announced its latest AI safety priorities, but experts are questioning the coherence of the plan.
Earlier this week, a group of ministers issued a joint media release outlining a series of artificial intelligence (AI) “safety priorities” for the Australian government. The list includes measures such as improving transparency in AI decision-making, strengthening AI safety regulations, and investing in AI research that prioritizes human values. However, these priorities are mostly old policy initiatives that have until now been de-prioritised for months or even years.
According to sources, the current AI safety priorities were largely drawn from a 2020 report on AI ethics by the Australian government. Many of the measures outlined in the report were initially supposed to be implemented last year, but were pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the recent announcement, it seems the government is trying to revive these initiatives.
New Priorities, Familiar Problems
Among the priorities listed are measures to improve AI literacy among Australians, establish stronger regulations for AI development, and increase investment in AI research. While these goals are laudable, experts point out that they are nothing new. Australia has been talking about improving AI literacy for years, and regulations for AI development have been stalled in parliament for months.
The government’s announcement has also been criticized for lacking a clear timeline or budget for implementing these priorities. Without a clear roadmap, it’s unclear how the government plans to achieve its goals.
Avoiding Accountability
Some critics argue that the current priorities are a way for the government to avoid accountability for its lack of progress in AI regulation. By announcing a new set of priorities, the government can shift the focus away from its previous failures and present a new narrative of progress.
What this means
For Australians, the lack of coherence in the government’s AI safety priorities might mean that meaningful change in the AI space is still a long way off. Until the government provides a clear and actionable plan for implementing its priorities, it’s difficult to get excited about the prospect of real progress in AI safety.
Looking Ahead
Going forward, Australians will be watching to see if the government can deliver on its promises. If the current priorities are just a repeat of old initiatives, it will be a missed opportunity for meaningful change. But if the government can provide a clear plan and hold itself accountable, there might be hope for a more coherent and effective approach to AI safety.
