Description

The Minns government will consider the need for a centralised office to lead artificial intelligence policy and strategy in New South Wales as part of its response to a parliamentary inquiry into the technology. With almost 200 automated decision-making (ADM) systems across the NSW public sector, the government will also look to improve visibility over its use of ADM systems in high-risk cases. But it has stopped short of agreeing to create a publicly available register of all ADM system, arguing that their ubiquity and the lack of “universally accepted definitions” make this unfeasible.

Summary

The New South Wales government is evaluating the establishment of a centralized office to spearhead AI policy and strategy, in response to a parliamentary inquiry into the technology. This initiative follows the recognition of nearly 200 automated decision-making systems utilized within the state's public sector, with a focus on enhancing oversight and management, particularly in high-risk domains. Though the proposal stops short of initiating a comprehensive public register for these systems, citing challenges in achieving universally accepted definitions, the move signifies a step towards more structured AI governance. The focus on centralized oversight and improved visibility is significant for advancing AI governance frameworks in Australia, potentially setting a precedent for other regions.

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