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Why OpenAI is using Australia as a test lab to combat rogue agents and safety risks

The Australian Financial Review

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Date Published
30 Sept 2026
Priority Score
5
Australian
Yes
Created
2 Oct 2026, 02:00 pm

Authors (1)

Description

A senior executive at the company behind the popular ChatGPT tool said Australia was “on the leading edge of how folks are thinking about technology policy”.

Summary

OpenAI identifies Australia as a critical testing ground for developing governance frameworks to manage autonomous AI agents that may become resistant to human control. The company's Head of Global Affairs, Chris Lehane, highlights Australia's proactive technology policy environment as ideal for trialing safety measures against rogue AI capabilities. These developments address escalating concerns regarding the containment and alignment of sophisticated frontier models that pose potential catastrophic risks if left unmonitored. This initiative directly links Australian domestic policy to global efforts in reducing the risks of loss of human agency over advanced AI systems.

Body

TechnologyAIPrint articlePaul SmithTechnology editorSep 30, 2026 – 5.00amSan Francisco | OpenAI plans to use Australia as a test lab as it works out how to combat the rising risk of rogue agents powered by increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence, amid growing fears newer models are becoming resistant to human control and impossible to contain.Chris Lehane, the head of global affairs at the company behind the popular ChatGPT platform, said Australia was “on the leading edge of how folks are thinking about technology policy, with child safety an obvious example”.Loading...SaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy linkCopiedEmailLinkedInTwitterFacebookCopy linkCopiedShare via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this articleGift articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? LoginLicense articleRead MoreAICybersecurityOpenAIAnthropicFetching latest articles