Labor and the Coalition are defending government input on recommendations from an independent inquiry into artificial intelligence before they were released, as Australia continues to grapple with the approach to big tech.
A bipartisan inquiry into AI presented early advice to the prime minister via an open letter on Tuesday, ahead of its official report in November.
The letter urges the government to examine and change copyright settings to ensure Australian creators are paid and can maintain control over their work.
More investment in critical AI infrastructure to bolster the nation’s digital sovereignty is recommended, along with increased oversight of government systems to quell data-breach concerns.
A lengthy set of suggestions contained in the letter, taking up more than six pages, will be considered by the government.
The committee’s deputy chair, Liberal senator Jonno Duniam, defended input from both the government and coalition before the letter was sent.
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Adviser adds notes
A copy marked with notes from a senior government adviser was circulated to the committee.
“I wrote the letter,” Duniam told News24.
“It was replete with typographical and grammatical errors, so I’m pleased others picked it up,” he said, noting he would be “concerned” if government ministers were not interested in it.
While not all of the committee agreed with the overall approach, it had reached consensus about the letter, the committee chair and Labor MP Jo Briskey told reporters on Tuesday.
But independent senator David Pocock said he was worried government officials had too much input into the letter.
“I am concerned that markups on the documents show the recommendations were pre-vetted by an adviser in the prime minister’s office and there was no time for changes to be considered by the (committee) chair,” Senator Pocock said.
“I am increasingly concerned that the work of this committee is being used to serve a political purpose rather than provide genuine parliamentary scrutiny and policy input.”
Briskey insisted the committee was continuing to work independently.
“I’ve been really enjoying the collaborative approach across government and opposition, as well as the cross bench,” she said.
“This is about getting above politics and making sure that we’re providing something really meaningful for the parliament to consider as we chart our course forward in AI.”
There are broader issues at stake for the committee, too.
The Australian Recording Industry Association rejected suggestions from the inquiry that copyright laws were insufficient for stopping AI companies from using creatives’ work without credit.
”Australian copyright law gives creators control,” ARIA chair Annabelle Herd said.
”It is the only thing standing between major American AI companies and unchecked access to the world’s content right here from Australia.”
Senator Duniam warned the government had limited time to act on recommendations if Australia wanted to pursue AI sovereignty on its own terms, instead of being dictated to by big tech or foreign powers.
The committee is due to file a full report by November 30.
AAP