Scientists Warn AI Use in Australian Environmental Assessments Could Lead to Errors Similar to Robodebt

The Minerals Council of Australia has proposed a $13 million trial to use artificial intelligence in preparing and evaluating environmental assessment applications under the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act).

The initiative seeks to streamline processes for mining companies and federal regulators. The proposal comes amid ongoing efforts to reform environmental laws following a 2020 review that identified failures in protecting species and habitats. The Biodiversity Council, comprising independent experts from 11 Australian universities, has expressed concerns that automating assessments with AI could result in errors akin to the Robodebt scheme.

Robodebt was an automated debt-recovery program operating from 2015 to 2019 that incorrectly accused hundreds of thousands of welfare recipients of overpayments. Lis Ashby, the council's lead on policy and innovation, stated that the EPBC Act contains vague language and broad ministerial discretion, which could complicate AI implementation.

“The vague rules add to the current length of assessment processes, because they impede rules-based decision-making by human assessors. The lack of clear rules will be even more problematic for an AI tool.”

Ashby added that establishing clear rules in the National Environmental Standards, including definitions of unacceptable impacts, could accelerate assessments without AI and support any future AI adoption. Brendan Sydes, national biodiversity policy adviser at the Australian Conservation Foundation, noted skepticism toward the minerals council's proposal.

He emphasized the need to address data gaps on threatened species and habitats before relying on technology.