Australia guides civil servants on proper use of artificial intelligence

Australia wants to teach civil servants how to use AI tools properly. (Photo: GGF)

This is the government ’s first attempt to impose restrictions around the use of tools like ChatGPT, Google Bard, and Bing AI. As the technology rapidly evolves, the need for guidance is growing as government officials assess the risks of using it, according to Chris Fechner, director of the DTA.

The DTA’s regulations aim to “support the safe and responsible use of technology ”, “minimise harm” and “achieve safer, more reliable and fairer outcomes for all Australians”. It also seeks to “reduce the risk of negative impacts on those affected by AI applications” and “enable the highest ethical standards in the use of AI”. Finally, it ensures transparency to build “trust in the government’s use of new technologies”.

Public service heads are advised to authorize staff to use generative AI tools and record their activities in official records. The guidance outlines three examples of AI applications in practice: checking project progress, using AI to create presentation slides, and using AI to validate technical standards for tender documents. In each case, the DTA provides guidelines such as not entering project details or sensitive information into public AI platforms.

Conversely, unacceptable risk scenarios include tasks that involve “large amounts of government data,” “top secret, sensitive documents,” and “encrypted output that will be used in government systems.”

DTA urges agencies to require employees to report AI abuses via email.

Australia is not the only country looking to guide government employees when using generative AI tools. Last month, the UK Cabinet Office issued formal guidance on the use of generative AI, exploring potential uses and setting out necessary restrictions. Specifically, the technology is banned from being used to draft documents related to policy changes.

According to research by the Global Government Forum, public officials are using AI in their work. More than 10% of Canadian public employees admit to using AI tools like ChatGPT.

(According to Global Government Forum)

More than a quarter of British adults have used generative AI The use of the latest AI systems has surpassed that of smart speakers, with one in 10 Britons using them at least once a day.

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