Parliament launches inquiry into public sector AI use

The federal government has announced an inquiry into the use of artificial intelligence in the public sector. The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) has already commenced the inquiry.

“Evidence to the Committee’s 2022–23 Commonwealth Financial Statements inquiry indicated an increased adoption of AI by public sector entities but also a lack of adequate governance frameworks to regulate and monitor this use,” said the Chair of the JCPAA, Linda Burney. “The Committee has decided that oversight is needed of the current and potential future impacts of this fast-developing technology in delivering outcomes for the Australian public.”

The inquiry into the use and governance of AI systems will have particular regard to the following:

• The purposes for which AI is currently being used by public sector entities and whether there are planned or likely future uses.
• The existing legislative, regulatory and policy frameworks that are relevant to the use of AI and whether they are fit for purpose.
• Whether the internal governance structures that currently exist for AI will ensure its ethical and responsible use by public sector entities.
• The internal frameworks, policies or additional controls used for assessing the risks associated with the use and possible misuse of AI, including the areas of security, privacy, ethics, bias, discrimination, transparency and accountability.
• Whether there is an adequate line of sight to the output of AI, and the decisions made through its use.
• Whether the public sector has the internal capability to effectively adopt and utilise AI into the future.
• Whether there are sovereign capability issues to consider given that most AI tools currently used in Australia are sourced from overseas.
• Any other related matters.
   

Submissions to the inquiry addressing the above terms of reference are invited by Friday, 25 October 2024. Details of this inquiry — including the submissions received and public hearings — will be available on the inquiry website.

The Committee will also make use of existing submissions to the Inquiry into Commonwealth Financial Statements 2022–23 that were requested from Commonwealth agencies on their use of AI.

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