The Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources has announced that Australia has joined the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) as a founding member.
In a statement, the Department said GPAI members fostered international collaboration on the responsible use and development of artificial intelligence (AI).
“The Department will coordinate Australia’s contribution to the work of the GPAI which is grounded in human rights, inclusion, diversity, innovation and economic growth,” the Department said.
“It will connect theory and practice on AI by supporting research and applied projects, pilots, and experimentation on AI-related priorities.”
Members of the GPAI include Australia, Canada, the European Union, Germany, India, France, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The Department said leading experts from industry, civil society, Governments and academia would take part in working groups.
“They will focus on four key themes: Responsible AI, data governance, the future of work, and innovation and commercialisation,” the Department said.
“In the short term, the initiative will look into how to use AI to better respond to and recover from COVID-19.”
Australia’s nominated experts include Genevieve Bell, Enrico Coiera, Elanor Huntington, Toby Walsh and Paul Dalby.
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Karen Andrews said membership of the GPAI gave Australia a seat at the table guiding responsible development of AI internationally.
“The economic potential of artificial intelligence is almost limitless,” Mrs Andrews said.
“This technology is developing at an incredible pace and, just a few years from now, AI will be creating jobs that we can’t even imagine yet,” she said.
“One thing that’s certain is AI will shape our future and Australia needs to be part of the international work to guide its development,” she said.
