Following the release of a new Federal Government discussion paper, calls are growing for stronger safeguards to ensure artificial intelligence is used responsibly across workplaces and society.
The paper proposes a “digital duty of care” — a framework that would require companies developing and deploying AI to take responsibility for preventing harm, improving transparency, and protecting users.
Dr Jacqueline Boaks from the Curtin Centre for Applied Ethics says the idea of a digital duty of care reflects a growing recognition that existing regulations are struggling to keep pace with rapidly evolving technology.
Dr Boaks says – “Artificial intelligence is already shaping decisions about people’s work, opportunities and access to services, often in ways that are not visible or well understood. The idea of a digital duty of care is about making sure organisations take responsibility for how these systems affect people, rather than leaving individuals to deal with the consequences. Without clear expectations and safeguards, there is a real risk that harms go unaddressed and accountability falls through the cracks. What we need is a framework that ensures AI systems are designed and used in ways that are fair, transparent and aligned with community expectations.”
You can read the full report here.
