Australia addresses AI risks in child safety and public service

New reports and research highlight the diverse risks and implementation challenges associated with artificial intelligence in Australia. An Adelaide University study found that over one in three Australian children turn to AI chatbots for support when experiencing online sexual victimization, or they choose not to tell anyone at all. Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett warned that AI chatbots are not a sufficient replacement for human support for children, noting that many young people use AI for emotional support, sensitive advice, or to combat loneliness.

In the public sector, a new whitepaper advises the Australian Public Service (APS) to adopt a measured approach to AI integration. The document emphasizes the need for resilient infrastructure to mitigate risks such as misconfiguration and excessive data access. It highlights concerns regarding the APS's current capability to maintain control over data and identity, especially as access to advanced AI models can be subject to international political decisions. The whitepaper stresses that agencies must ensure they can recover critical services and maintain control over their technology as it evolves.