Commissioner Edward Santow said: “Accountability and the rule of law are fundamental to Australia’s democracy. We need to uphold those principles more effectively in how AI is developed and used. Emerging technologies can bring great societal benefits, but we’re starting to realise personal information can be used against them.”

Mr Santow said in the last year, the commissioner has seen “troubling examples” of what emerging technology is doing to vulnerable members of the community. AI is continuously used to make high-stakes decisions that have had “serious human rights impacts”.

The commission is proposing the introduction of a statutory cause of action for the serious invasion of privacy and federal legislation requiring that individuals be informed where AI is materially used in a decision that affects their human rights.

This federal legislation would also create a general rule that the legal person who deploys an AI-informed decision-making system is legally liable for the use of the system.

The commission has also called for the government to establish an independent body to inquire into ethical frameworks. There should also be a AI safety commissioner to sit as an independent statutory office and observe a national leadership role. In the report, the commission said: “New technologies engage human rights in new and profound ways.”

VIEW ALL

“Governments, companies and others should comply with human rights law in the design, development and the use of technology.”

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.