Australian Prime Minister Outlines AI Regulatory Plans in Sydney Speech

The prime minister delivered a 20-minute address on artificial intelligence at the University of Sydney on Wednesday, referencing a papal encyclical released in May.

The government aims to introduce legislation to parliament early next year to create a regulatory framework for large AI data centres. The framework will include a legal obligation for these centres to be net-generators of electricity rather than net-users. A new office will be established in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to handle AI policy.

The prime minister stated the government will put in place the strongest possible protection to ensure machine learning models cannot use existing work without permission or compensation. The address referenced Labor's past policy achievements including Medicare and compulsory superannuation as models for setting international standards.

The prime minister used the word opportunity nine times and the word risk six times during the speech.