Digital IDs are a reminder of Australia's AI regulatory web
The recent progress of the government's Digital ID plans could have implications for AI use, with privacy lawyers pointing to a developing labyrinth of AI regulation for Australian businesses even though the government is yet to pass any AI specific laws or regulations.
Australian businesses face a labyrinth of regulation relating to artificial intelligence even though the government is yet to pass any specific laws or regulations on the fast-evolving technology, privacy lawyers warn.
The federal government's plans to introduce an economy-wide Digital ID system were recently passed by the Senate and are now progressing at a rate outpacing the country's privacy act review. The measures, if entered into law, could have implications for companies that also engage in AI technology use.
Earlier this year, the government announced that companies operating “high-risk” forms of AI will be subject to new “mandatory guardrails”, while there will also be a voluntary standard for the whole sector. It said it planned to work with industry to develop options for voluntary labelling and watermarking of AI-generated materials such as videos, images and text. An expert panel will also be established to advise on further regulation.
But the design of Australian regulation means companies across the risk scale should be live to their obligations, lawyers say.
