The national AI plan takes a light regulatory approach

Companies will not be forced to label generative AI (genAI) content using tools such as watermarks, the government announced as it unveiled a loose national AI plan that promises pervasive public AI and union engagement to address AI job losses.

The new plan is based on nine key actions aligned to three key objectives – harnessing the opportunities of AI, spreading its benefits and keeping Australians safe when using it – and is the result of over a year of work.

Following the Productivity Commission’s recent recommendations, it abandons AI laws such as the EU AI Act and instead advocates for a “continuous review and adaptation” of data protection, copyright and health laws, as well as “practical, risk-based safeguards that are proportionate, targeted and responsive to emerging AI risks.”

Law enforcement and intelligence agencies will continue to “proactively mitigate the most serious risks posed by AI,” the plan says, using the Australian government’s existing crisis management framework…