Productivity Commission Says New AI Laws Should Be a Last Resort
The Productivity Commission of Australia has given a strong warning about making new laws for artificial intelligence, also known as AI. The Commission believes that new rules for AI should only be made as a last resort. They say that the laws Australia already has are mostly good enough to deal with the risks that AI brings.
Commission Shares Its Thoughts with the Government
Recently, the Australian federal government asked for opinions on how to keep AI safe and responsible. In response, the Productivity Commission wrote a submission. In this document, the Commission explained that AI does create some new challenges, but the laws and rules that are already in place usually work well enough.
The submission says, “existing laws and regulatory frameworks are generally fit for purpose.”
Amendments Might Work Better Than New Laws
If there are problems or “gaps” in the current laws, the Commission believes it would be smarter to just fix those areas. They wrote, “Where gaps are identified, targeted amendments to existing laws or regulations may be preferable to the creation of new, AI-specific laws.”
Worries About Too Many Rules
The Commission is concerned that making too many new rules could actually cause problems for Australia. They warn that over-regulation could stop new ideas and slow down the good things that AI can bring. In their submission, they say:
- “AI has the potential to deliver significant benefits to the Australian economy and society.”
- “Regulation should be proportionate to the risks and avoid unnecessarily impeding the uptake of beneficial AI technologies.”
This means the rules for AI should match the real dangers, but not get in the way of using AI in helpful ways.
Current Laws Already Cover Many AI Risks
The Commission also points out that many of the risks that come with AI are already covered by laws Australia has today. For example:
- Discrimination is covered by anti-discrimination laws.
- Privacy breaches are covered by privacy laws.
- Consumer protection laws also play a role in handling AI risks.
Because these rules are already in place, the Commission feels there may be no need for special new laws just for AI at this time.
Government Still Deciding on New AI Rules
Right now, the Australian government is still thinking about what to do about AI. They are looking at whether to make new laws or new systems to manage AI risks. The consultation process, where people and groups could share their ideas and worries, ended in August 2024. Now, the government will review what it heard and decide if new AI rules are needed.
Key Points from the Productivity Commission Submission
- New AI laws should be a last resort, not the first step.
- Current laws usually work well enough for most risks from AI.
- If there are problems, it’s better to adjust existing laws instead of making new ones just for AI.
- Too many rules could hurt innovation and productivity in Australia.
- Many AI risks are already covered by anti-discrimination, privacy, and consumer protection laws.
- The government will decide what to do after the consultation that closed in August 2024.
Looking Ahead
Australia is trying to find the best way to keep people safe while also allowing for the benefits of AI. The Productivity Commission wants to make sure that any new rules are made carefully and only when really needed. Their main goal is to protect people without stopping progress.