Learned Academies deliver Rapid Response Information Report on Generative AI

The last six months have seen the development of new artificial intelligence (AI) products and services, especially those known as Generative AI, accelerate at an enormous pace. The Australian Government’s discussion paper is timely to support an Australian conversation about these technologies.

We acknowledge the leadership shown by Government, through the National Science and Technology Council, to commission work earlier this year to produce an independent report on Generative AI that informs the Government’s thinking around this technology. ACOLA was pleased to develop the rapid report on Generative AI, convening contributions from the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, the Academy of the Humanities, and the Academy of Science. Lead authors, Professors Genevieve Bell FTSE FAHA, Jean Burgess FAHA, Julian Thomas FAHA and Shazia Sadiq FTSE, together with many contributing experts, enabled a multidisciplinary assessment of these technologies.

Much like the move from steam to electricity, AI is fundamentally reshaping business, government and the community as we better understand, integrate and redesign this technology.

Political leadership and input from the breadth of Australia’s experts is needed, including Fellows of Australia’s Learned Academies across various research disciplines, to help Australia harness this opportunity, especially to provide job certainty in this disruptive environment. We know that a significant number of jobs have exposure to AI-disruption, but equally that emerging technologies, including AI, will create more jobs than any lost.

Professor Richard Holden FASSA, ACOLA’s Board Chair, stated, “ Generative AI is transformational and is already beginning to change how we live and work. Decisionmakers and the broader Australian community need a stronger understanding of its risks and opportunities if we are to successfully manage its rapid development, use and uptake in the coming years ”.

“ Generative AI is already raising questions about opportunities and risks of widespread adoption; adequacy of national policies and our legal and regulatory processes, especially in a globalised world, but Australia must engage proactively and passionately with this technology. ”

“ We welcome the leadership of the Australian Government, and we look forward to supporting evidence-informed decision-making.”

A copy of the Rapid Response Information Report on Generative AI can also be found on the ACOLA website. The Government’s Discussion Paper on Safe and Responsible AI can be found at https://consult.industry.gov.au/supporting-responsible-ai.