Labor says AI is breaking the FOI system. Its opponents want AI to fix it
Labor is attempting to curb the number of freedom of information requests, saying AI is clogging up the system.
Labor’s plan to curb Freedom of Information requests is being met with significant opposition, as senators call for artificial intelligence (AI) to be harnessed to make the system fit for purpose.
The FOI system has long been criticised for a lack of transparency, amid allegations that departments and political offices deliberately censor embarrassing information which the public is entitled to access.
On Wednesday, Labor introduced a bill to Parliament which would create a fee for many FOI requests and ban people from making anonymous requests.
Attorney-General Michelle Rowland has argued that the sheer volume of AI-generated requests is clogging up the system, forcing public servants to spend hours which they would otherwise be working responding to them.
