“The decision to align Australia’s policy approach to artificial intelligence within the Office of the Prime Minister is prudent given the economy-wide opportunities and challenges that rapid advances in digital technologies are posing to productivity, jobs, investment, energy, land use and infrastructure. What is needed now is for the government to make swift and clear decisions about its appetite for the economy and its communities to embrace the possibilities that lie ahead,” said Innes Willox, chief executive of national employers’ association Australian Industry Group.
“The reality is that artificial intelligence will impact almost every aspect of Australian life, from the way we work to the need for critical minerals for semiconductor conductors, microchips and processors to supply data centers, which are expected to attract more than $10 trillion in investment around the world by 2030. “The government will need to send a signal across all these areas, whether through strong measures or a hidden hand, regarding the regulatory environment that employers, healthcare providers and investors will face.
“Deploying artificial intelligence is an economy-wide undertaking. Although Australia is currently relatively slow in adopting artificial intelligence compared to many of its competitors and trading partners, it is already reshaping the way businesses operate, innovate and care for their employees. The pace of change will only accelerate as supply chains evolve. At a time when there are significant opportunities to drive growth and improve lives, over-regulation will only undermine Australia’s competitiveness, productivity and comparative advantage.”
“Government also needs to decide how open Australia is to data center investment at a time when local communities are increasingly concerned about impacts on energy grids, water resources, amenity and land use. If it is not felt welcome, that investment will go elsewhere, but data center operators will also need to demonstrate the broader community benefits of building infrastructure. The government’s policy approach will determine how much of the increased data center investment Australia receives.
“We also need to increase the frequency and quality of innovation collaboration between Australian businesses and our substantial capacity in scientific research to improve competitiveness and open new commercial opportunities. Capitalizing on changing needs requires an appropriate focus on developing a skilled workforce across the economy.”
“These are complex issues, and providing certainty for employers, investors and communities requires appropriate coordination of government policy at the federal and state levels. We look forward to continuing to work with government and other agencies to develop the best possible policy settings and frameworks to enable Australia to thrive in rapidly changing times.”
“There is an urgent need for the government to act urgently to ensure Australian businesses can confidently invest in artificial intelligence for long-term improvements in process, safety and performance,” Mr Willox said.
How Australian Industry Group members are using AI to improve productivity:
Artificial intelligence: A win for businesses, employees and Australian industry
/Open to the public. This material from the original organization/author may be of a contemporary nature and has been edited for clarity, style, and length. Mirage.News does not take any institutional position or position, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are those of the authors alone. Read the full text here.
