Australia forms new institute to strengthen AI safety

The Australian Government is establishing the Australian Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (AISI) to strengthen AI safety across the nation.

The AISI will deliver authoritative expertise to monitor, evaluate, and disseminate information on emerging AI technologies, associated risks, and potential harms. Through early identification of future risks, it will assist the government in establishing robust, purpose-built safeguards for Australians.

The institute will be an important capability in government, working directly with regulators to ensure Australia is ready to safely capture the benefits of AI with confidence, according to the announcement. The AISI will become operational in early 2026.

Earlier this month, India unveiled new AI governance guidelines to encourage responsible adoption across the nation. Published under the IndiaAI Mission, the guidelines propose a robust governance framework to foster cutting-edge innovation and safely develop and deploy AI for all while mitigating risks to individuals and society.

The AISI will strengthen AI safety in Australia

“AI is already transforming the way we live and work,” commented Tim Ayres, minister for industry and innovation and minister for science. “Adopted properly and safely, AI can revitalize industry, boost productivity, and lift the living standards of all Australians.”

However, while the opportunities are immense, Australians must be kept safe from any malign uses of AI, he added. 

“The Albanese Labor Government is establishing the AI Safety Institute to provide the capability to assess the risks of this technology dynamically over time. The institute will be the government’s hub of AI safety expertise. It will operate with transparency, responsiveness, and technical rigour to make sure Australians are confident to use this game-changing technology safely.”

The AISI’s work will complement existing legal and regulatory frameworks that already protect Australians’ rights and safety and will include:

• Helping government keep pace with rapid developments in AI technologies, dynamically addressing emerging risks and harms.
• Enhancing understanding of technical developments in advanced AI and potential impacts.
• Serving as a central hub to share insights and support coordinated government action.
• Providing guidance on AI opportunity, risk, and safety for businesses, government, and the public through established channels including the National AI Center (NAIC).
• Supporting Australia’s commitments under international AI safety agreements.

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Positioning Australia as a global leader in AI safety

The AISI will help position Australia as a global leader in addressing AI safety.

“From social enterprise right through to government, AI is already helping organizations across the country lift productivity and deliver better services to Australians,” said Dr Andrew Charlton, assistant minister for science, technology, and the digital economy. “That’s why we working closely with industry, business, unions, and civil society to increase the uptake of AI in a way that is safe and responsible.”

Australia is a founding member of the International Network of AI Safety Institutes and is committed to strengthening Australia’s scientific understanding of the capabilities and risks associated with frontier AI systems to make them safer for everyone as part of its AI safety science efforts.

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