Results updated 22 Jun 2021

Progressing the AI Ethics Framework and its 8 AI Ethics Principles is part of the Australian Government’s commitment to make Australia a global leader in responsible and inclusive AI. This is one of four key focus areas under the AI Action Plan.

Our department tested the principles in a pilot project with a small number of businesses. Read more on the case studies, research and key findings from the pilot.

Feedback updated 7 Nov 2019

We asked

The Minister for Industry, Science and Technology released a discussion paper on 5 April 2019. This paper sought to encourage conversations on how we should design, develop, deploy and operate AI in Australia. In particular, we sought feedback on the draft AI ethics principles presented in the discussion paper.

You said

We received more than 130 submissions from government, business, academia, non-government organisations and individuals.

Submissions generally supported a principles based framework to guide the design, development, deployment and operation of AI in Australia. However, feedback suggests the draft principles need to be clarified to better explain:

  • how they can be applied in practice by organisations, and
  • how they interact with each other

Read a summary of consultation feedback.

We did

We analysed the submissions and engaged with AI experts from business, academia and community groups to help analyse the feedback. This enabled us to develop the revised set of AI ethics principles.

Read the finalised AI ethics principles.

Developing a set of AI ethics principles is just the first step in the development of the AI Ethics Framework. The next step will focus on developing guidance to help organisations to apply the principles in their work.

Published responses

View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.

Overview

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to provide social, economic, and environmental benefits. For Australia to realise these benefits, it’s important for citizens to have trust in how AI is being designed, developed and used by business and government.

In early 2019, we sought your views on a discussion paper to inform the Government’s approach to AI ethics in Australia.

Discussion paper

The discussion paper was developed by CSIRO’s Data61 and designed to encourage conversations about AI ethics in Australia.

The paper and your feedback will help us ensure AI is developed and applied responsibly in Australia.

The Ethics Framework research was funded by the government in the 2018 May Budget. The work was guided by a steering committee of experts from industry, government and community organisations as well as researchers from CSIRO and Data61. Consultative workshops were also held in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth during 2018.

Submissions

We have now published the submissions where consent has been given to publish the response.

What happens next

The opportunity to provide input into the government’s AI Ethics Framework via written submissions has now closed.

Please refer to the department’s website for further guidance on the principles and how to be involved.

Timeline

  • Opened
    closed
    4 April 2019
  • Closed
    closed
    30 May 2019
Contact
Strategy, Digital Economy and Business Simplification