Labor makes demand to big tech over AI safetyThe government has made a big announcement about AI, laying out a series of demands to big tech over the emerging technology.less than 2 min readJuly 19, 2026 - 10:00PMNewsWireThe Albanese government has laid out its demands to big tech over artificial intelligence, saying it will legislate a duty of care that will ensure that safety measures are built into cutting edge technology.The Labor government last week unveiled its sweeping plans for artificial intelligence including the establishment of a new Office for AI.And on Sunday, the government outlined a series of AI safety priorities.“Artificial intelligence is transforming the way Australians work and learn, and can deliver significant economic and social benefits when shaped and harnessed well,” the government said in a statement.The Anthony Albanese government has laid out its safety demands on artificial intelligence. Picture: NewsWire/George Chan.“The National AI Plan makes clear that to fully realise these benefits, Australians must have confidence that AI is being developed and deployed safely.”It said it will legislate a “Digital Duty of Care” to ensure that safety mechanisms are built into new AI technology and address potential harm.It said it was also prioritising AI safety in the workplace, which will be investigated by the Artificial Intelligence Workplace and Employment Forum.The government is also closely monitoring the impact of AI on consumers including “retail surveillance pricing” which uses technology to adjust pricing for individual customers based on their habits, location, browning history and other variables.The Albanese government said it was also producing a framework for the use of artificial decision-making in federal agencies.“These workstreams build on existing government actions including already legislated criminal offences to ban the sharing of non-consensual deepfake sexually explicit material, and work to ban nudify apps,” the government said.More related storiesNationalHanson outlines ‘mass deportation’ plansOne Nation leader Pauline Hanson has outlined plans for mass deportations in Australia as she toured the UK and met with figures from the country’s hard right.Read moreNationalFacebook, Instagram down worldwideFacebook users claimed they had been blocked from accessing their accounts.Read moreNationalResidents forced to drink from bird bathsThe water supply at one south-west Perth social housing complex is unreliable residents can’t flush their toilets, shower or drink water.Read more