Australia Introduces Voluntary AI Safety Standard

In a bid to ensure the safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) across industries, the Australian Government, through the Department of Industry, Science and Resources and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), has introduced a new voluntary AI safety standard.

The standard offers practical guidelines to help organisations navigate the complexities of AI deployment, featuring ten key guardrails applicable throughout the AI supply chain. These guardrails aim to balance innovation with the need to mitigate risks to organisations, individuals, and society. The guidelines focus on transparency, accountability, and the protection of data, ensuring the responsible development and management of AI systems.

Key aspects include establishing governance processes, implementing risk management, ensuring human oversight, and enabling transparency and recourse for end-users. Organisations are also encouraged to engage stakeholders, prioritising safety, fairness, and inclusion in the AI landscape.

This voluntary standard provides a structured approach for organisations to leverage AI’s benefits while adhering to ethical and safety considerations.

Read more details on Analysis and Policy Observatory.