The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence in Australia could drive significant job losses and harm regional communities if big AI companies remain the controlling influence, according to Nationals Senator for New South Wales Ross Cadell.
Senator Cadell described the Federal Government’s approach as a rapid AI race with “potentially catastrophic economic and environmental impacts”, saying regional Australia would be the biggest loser. He said there were too many unknowns to be putting all our eggs in the basket of AI advancement, and that Australia should embrace the opportunities without racing ahead of the pack while it is already attracting foreign investment.
“If allowed to run before it can walk, the deployment of AI in Australia could put thousands of Australians out of a job, push our power grid to the brink of failure, and destroy our creative sector,” he said.
He said the role of the Joint Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence must be to identify appropriate guard rails that protect everyday Australians, rather than to rubber stamp a government agenda.
On copyright, Senator Cadell said the Federal Government was seeking to trade away existing protections at the expense of Australian artists, performers and musicians.
“Poorly considered changes to copyright laws will draw the final curtain on a growing market of voluntary licensing agreements and overall weaken Australia’s creative sector,” he said.
