Aussies prompt politicians for real action on AI rules
Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson |
Most Australians want regulations on the use of artificial intelligence and almost half fear unchecked use of the technology could impact relationships, a study has found.
But mandatory AI guardrails have not been raised as an issue during the federal election campaign despite the widespread concerns.
Youth organisation Abel Movement released the findings of a study of more than 1000 adults on Wednesday, a day before a panel discussion on the topic in Sydney.
The research also comes after the federal government held a Senate inquiry into adopting artificial intelligence technology, and two public consultations into its governance, but did not introduce mandatory restrictions before the election.
The survey, conducted for the youth group by McCrindle Research, found 69 per cent of Australians considered regulating the use AI as extremely or very important.
By comparison, 42 per cent of people surveyed said the government should prioritise AI development.
Their concerns about high-risk AI use should not be dismissed and should be raised as a priority for any incoming government, Abel Movement founder Rev Noddy Sharma said.
“The population is speaking and the government, especially in an election, should be outlining their AI policies, their guardrails, and being really open and public,” he told AAP.
“You could almost say the horse has bolted already with AI, but we can still secure the paddock. It’s not too late.”
The study also identified concerns about the effect AI could have on personal relationships, with 48 per cent saying its use could negatively impact emotional intelligence and empathy, and 44 per cent fearing it could impact relationships.
But some Australians from Generation Z, aged between 15 and 30, were using AI for relationship advice, the study found, with one in four saying it offered similar emotional support to their friends.
The unchecked and unregulated use of the technology for counselling should be a concern, Mr Sharma said.
“Ten to 15 years ago we let social media run wild and we’re still seeing the consequences in our kids’ mental health,” he said.
“We can’t undo the past, but we should be trying to learn from the mistakes we’ve made.”
Neither major party has addressed AI regulation in the election campaign despite calls from groups including the Australian Society of Authors and Australian Publishers Association to tackle copyright theft.
The Tech Council of Australia also called for “regulatory certainty” about AI rules in its election wishlist, alongside greater training and skilled migration opportunities, and raising tech investments from 3.5 to 4.6 per cent of Australia’s gross domestic product.
Industry groups would continue to raise these issues with whichever political party claimed government as they required urgent attention, council policy and strategy head Harry Godber said.
“Tech policy hasn’t really been front and centre (this election),” he said.
The Senate inquiry into adopting AI issued 13 recommendations in November, and a public consultation into mandatory guardrails for high-risk AI use closed in October 2024.
AAP
