Treasurer Jim Chalmers Backs Light-Touch AI Rules in Productivity Push
Australian Financial Review
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Details
- Date Published
- 12 June 2025
- Priority Score
- 2
- Australian
- Yes
- Created
- 15 June 2025, 12:45 pm
Description
The treasurer’s stance, which aligns more with business than the unions, precedes the productivity roundtable he will convene in August.
Summary
Treasurer Jim Chalmers advocates for minimal regulation of artificial intelligence, emphasizing the government's intent to leverage AI for boosting productivity rather than imposing strict usage controls. This approach aligns more closely with business interests compared to union calls for more robust AI oversight. The position outlined serves as a prelude to an upcoming productivity roundtable Chalmers will lead. While the article focuses on policy preferences in Australia, it reflects broader global debates about balancing AI innovation with safety and control. No major advancements in frontier AI capabilities or direct links to existential AI risks are discussed.
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PolicyEconomyAIPrint articleMichael ReadandPhillip CooreyJun 14, 2025 – 5.00amSaveLog inorSubscribeto save articleShareCopy linkCopiedEmailLinkedInTwitterFacebookCopy linkCopiedShare via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber?LoginTreasurer Jim Chalmers has backed light-touch regulation of artificial intelligence, saying the government’s focus is on how the technology can boost productivity, rather than establishing guardrails for its use.Chalmers’ position on AI aligns more with business than unions and precedes the productivity roundtable he will convene in August.Loading...Michael Readis the Financial Review's economics correspondent, reporting from the federal press gallery at Parliament House. He was previously an economist at the Reserve Bank of Australia and at UBS.Connect withMichaelonTwitter.EmailMichaelatmichael.read@afr.comPhillip Cooreyis the political editor based in Canberra. He is a two-time winner of the Paul Lyneham award for press gallery excellence.Connect withPhilliponFacebookandTwitter.EmailPhillipatpcoorey@afr.comSaveLog inorSubscribeto save articleShareCopy linkCopiedEmailLinkedInTwitterFacebookCopy linkCopiedShare via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber?LoginLicense articleFollow the topics, people and companies that matter to you.Find out moreRead MoreAIProductivityJim ChalmersAustralian economyALPTrade unionsFetching latest articlesThe top whisky you can buy without going on a waiting listMax AllenThe luxury travel trend you probably haven’t consideredThe restaurant that’s turning back the clock (in the best way)Forget WFH – what it’s really like to ‘work from anywhere’Rachael BoltonThe US governance model taking over Australian boardroomsThis CEO wakes at 5am, but doesn’t get in to work till 10amRunning and a ‘cheeky’ vice set this Sydney CEO up for the dayLife & LeisureWhy this new Australian electric motorbike is a game changerOne of Australia’s most loved authors reveals her weekend ritualsBillionaires Escalante and Arnaout taking liberties with ASICPrimrose RiordanCinema giant flags part-sale of Sydney’s George Street complexAnnie Cannon-Brookes steps out on her own