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AI to Be 'Greatest Change Since Electricity': Keating

The Canberra Times

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Date Published
2 Sept 2026
Priority Score
3
Australian
Yes
Created
5 Sept 2026, 06:00 pm

Authors (1)

Description

Former prime minister Paul Keating has called on the federal government to embrace structural change, including the challenges...

Summary

Former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating characterizes the rise of artificial intelligence as a transformative epochal shift comparable to the introduction of electricity. He emphasizes that the federal government must proactively manage structural economic changes and the systemic challenges posed by frontier AI development. While primarily focused on national economic adaptation, his call for high-level governance highlights the need for Australian policy to address the societal disruptions and safety considerations inherent in rapid technological deployment. The article underscores a growing sense of urgency among senior Australian political figures regarding the scale of AI's long-term impact on national infrastructure and security.

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