Australia: Digital economy regulation settings

In brief

On 18 March 2022, the government announced that it has opened consultation on digital economy regulation settings in Australia. The government is seeking feedback on regulatory frameworks, particularly in relation to automated decision making ('ADM') and artificial intelligence ('AI').


Contents


In more detail

The main issues the government is seeking feedback on include:

  • uncertainty and complexity - there is regulatory uncertainty for both industry and government, as they are subject to multiple regulatory frameworks. Complexity in the regulatory environment deters innovation within government and industry. However, siloed and regime specific regulatory approaches have intensified problems of overlapping regulating and created barriers to the development and effective use of AI and ADM;
  • rapidly evolving international developments - Australia faces strong global competition when seeking to be a lead in digital economy regulation. Regulation of AI and ADM in Australia needs to keep pace with these developments, whilst taking into account development sin Australia's key trading partners to ensure consistency;
  • public trust and confidence - public trust and confidence in AI and ADM is a potential barrier to achieving the enormous benefits that they can offer. There needs to be a responsibility for improving public understanding of these technologies, and greater guidance provided to users of these technologies;
  • potential for bias or discrimination - it is recognized that while automation has the potential to reduce bias and discrimination, algorithms may reflect the bias of their programmers. The potential for bias or discrimination is a significant issue for the designers of systems implementing AI or ADM;
  • transparency and ability to explain decision or outcomes  - there may be issues posed with ensuring transparency with systems that use ADM or AI. This is mainly due to the algorithms and technological language used by machines being largely inaccessible and unable to be understood by the public. Conversely, it is unclear the extent of transparency that should be required, as users of AI or ADM are unwilling to share the details of how their relevant systems work;
  • exercise of discretion - discretion is often required to ensure fair outcomes when rigid application of a rule could lead to an unintended outcome. However, regulation by simple rules without discretion is easier to automate. Therefore, a balance needs to be struck between efficiency and fairness; and
  • privacy - personal information is regularly used in AI and ADM systems across a range of sectors. The role and scope of privacy laws in relation to ADM and AI is therefore important, and may need to be expanded.

The consultation poses 10 questions that relate to the above issues, and seeks feedback that will assist overcoming barriers to achieving ADM and AI potential. The consultation closes on 22 April 2022. Further information about the issue paper can be found here.

This article was originally published in the March 2022 edition of LegalBytes, which can be found here.


Copyright © 2024 Baker & McKenzie. All rights reserved. Ownership: This documentation and content (Content) is a proprietary resource owned exclusively by Baker McKenzie (meaning Baker & McKenzie International and its member firms). The Content is protected under international copyright conventions. Use of this Content does not of itself create a contractual relationship, nor any attorney/client relationship, between Baker McKenzie and any person. Non-reliance and exclusion: All Content is for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current legal and regulatory developments. All summaries of the laws, regulations and practice are subject to change. The Content is not offered as legal or professional advice for any specific matter. It is not intended to be a substitute for reference to (and compliance with) the detailed provisions of applicable laws, rules, regulations or forms. Legal advice should always be sought before taking any action or refraining from taking any action based on any Content. Baker McKenzie and the editors and the contributing authors do not guarantee the accuracy of the Content and expressly disclaim any and all liability to any person in respect of the consequences of anything done or permitted to be done or omitted to be done wholly or partly in reliance upon the whole or any part of the Content. The Content may contain links to external websites and external websites may link to the Content. Baker McKenzie is not responsible for the content or operation of any such external sites and disclaims all liability, howsoever occurring, in respect of the content or operation of any such external websites. Attorney Advertising: This Content may qualify as “Attorney Advertising” requiring notice in some jurisdictions. To the extent that this Content may qualify as Attorney Advertising, PRIOR RESULTS DO NOT GUARANTEE A SIMILAR OUTCOME. Reproduction: Reproduction of reasonable portions of the Content is permitted provided that (i) such reproductions are made available free of charge and for non-commercial purposes, (ii) such reproductions are properly attributed to Baker McKenzie, (iii) the portion of the Content being reproduced is not altered or made available in a manner that modifies the Content or presents the Content being reproduced in a false light and (iv) notice is made to the disclaimers included on the Content. The permission to re-copy does not allow for incorporation of any substantial portion of the Content in any work or publication, whether in hard copy, electronic or any other form or for commercial purposes.