‘Eminently sensible’: Industry welcomes Albanese’s AI ambition — but wants detail
Albanese’s AI agenda has won broad industry support, but questions remain over how the new framework will work in practice.
Industry has welcomed the Albanese government’s sweeping AI announcement but cautioned that unresolved questions about copyright enforcement, state cooperation and the powers of the new Office of AI would determine whether it amounted to more than ambition.
The centrepiece of Wednesday’s announcement is a national framework for large AI data centres, which Albanese said would be the first to bring location, energy and water obligations under a single national system.
Operators would have to underwrite new power supply, return as much energy to the grid as they consume, minimise water use and fund any additional water infrastructure.
Albanese will seek state and territory backing at next month’s national cabinet meeting, with legislation planned for early next year.
