AI possibilities big for Australia
Isabella Higgins: Could Australia become a global leader in artificial intelligence? Well, the Business Council of Australia thinks so, with the right policy settings. A report released today provides a blueprint of what is needed to make that plan a reality. But not everyone is so optimistic. Unions are worried that AI without safeguards could see many Australians lose their jobs. Elizabeth Cramsie reports.
Elizabeth Cramsie: Australia is a global leader when it comes to minerals and energy production. But by as soon as 2028, it also has the chance to lead the way in artificial intelligence.
Bran Black: We've got a real focus on how we can go about improving skills, how we can go about sensibly approaching regulation, what we need to do to make sure that the right type of infrastructure is in place for the utilisation of AI, and then more broadly, what we can do to try and drive research and development activity in Australia.
Elizabeth Cramsie: That's Bran Black, the Chief Executive of the Business Council of Australia, which has released a plan detailing how Australia could become an AI powerhouse.
Bran Black: We're a safe economy, we've got secure property rights, the rule of law, etc., abundant space and natural resources. We think that data centre location is absolutely critical. We've got highly skilled researchers, and so we'd love to see Australia as a hub for research and development.
Elizabeth Cramsie: The BCA says AI could hold the key to reigniting productivity growth, which it says is critical to higher living standards. The plan lists examples from intelligent logistics and streamlined services to freeing up healthcare workers from repetitive tasks. And if Australia succeeds, the economic boost could be huge.
Bran Black: General projections are that it could lead to a GDP increase of anywhere between $150 billion to $600 billion for Australia each year by 2030.
Elizabeth Cramsie: Toby Walsh is the Chief Scientist at the AI Institute at the University of New South Wales.
Toby Walsh: The government is going to be focused on productivity, and here is a real productivity opportunity, and it sets out a detailed plan of how actually in the next three years they could achieve significant returns, as well as ensuring that it's done in a responsible way.
Elizabeth Cramsie: And Toby Walsh says while it's an ambitious timeline, AI developments are coming fast.
Toby Walsh: But we need to make those investments now, otherwise we won't have that infrastructure. Similarly, the skills piece, there's a big section of the report devoted to skills, and that is investing in our future.
Elizabeth Cramsie: Many parts of the Australian economy are already using AI. A good example is the mining sector, which uses automated trucks and trains. But some fear there could be unrealised downsides to such a rapid shift in technologies. Joseph Mitchell is the Assistant Secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions.
Joseph Mitchell: Workplace surveillance has been turbocharged by AI, tracking when and where people go to the toilet.
Elizabeth Cramsie: Joseph Mitchell says unions support innovation and productivity gains, but it cannot come at the cost of workers.
Joseph Mitchell: What we need to guard against is the really malicious cases, or the cases where the benefit only goes to overseas big tech companies.
Elizabeth Cramsie: One of the plan's proposals is for AI courses to be introduced into schools and university courses, and a national institute dedicated to best practice for the use of artificial intelligence in the workplace.
Isabella Higgins: Elizabeth Cramsie there.
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