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Australia's privacy chief says now is the time to build AI protections

Australia's top privacy regulator is urging lawmakers to act now to create safeguards for consumers and businesses against the rise of artificial intelligence

Laurel Henning
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Privacy Commissioner Angelene Falk. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas.

Australia's top privacy regulator is urging lawmakers to act now to create safeguards for consumers and businesses against the rise of artificial intelligence, with the recent leadership turmoil at market leader OpenAI only adding to concerns about the technology.

Speaking at the IAPP ANZ Summit in Sydney on Tuesday, Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner Angelene Falk said that rather than nervously laughing over warnings that the risks of generative AI can be likened to climate change or nuclear war, "we need to take heed of these futurists and ensure we build in protections now."

And she said proposed changes to the Privacy Act could be part of the solution. "There are specific proposals before government to enhance protection in this area. The 'fair and reasonable' test is one that will really be central to ensure that AI is tested before it is enacted," Falk said.

Introducing such a test to Australian privacy law would mean any business measures linked to personal information would need to be considered a fair and reasonable use of that information.