Why is South Australia holding a royal commission into AI and why is it necessary?
South Australia is launching a royal commission into artificial intelligence to address the risks and opportunities of the technology. Premier Peter Malinauskas aims to establish a regulatory framework while fostering local innovation through partnerships with major tech firms.
Why it matters
This represents a significant move by a regional government to proactively regulate AI at a high level, potentially setting a precedent for global AI governance.
SA Premier Peter Malinauskas met with Apple chief executive Tim Cook during a recent trip to the US. ( Supplied: Facebook )
Link copied Share Share article South Australia will hold a royal commission into artificial intelligence — the first time an inquiry into AI is held at such a high level in Australia.
Premier Peter Malinauskas yesterday made the announcement, saying that while AI is "an exciting opportunity to advance the cause of humanity", if left unchecked it also represented a "material risk to the way our society operates and a risk to the future of work if not thought through carefully".
"We are at a really important fork in the road," he said.
So, what prompted the announcement, and what does it hope to achieve?
The use of AI becoming increasingly influential and controversial, and Mr Malinauskas said the government needed to act now.
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