Speaking in Sydney, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese compared AI's impact on society to that of commercial air travel 100 years ago, aiming to pass legislation on mandatory standards by early 2027, following a national cabinet process with state and territory leaders.
New data centre measures
During his speech, the Prime Minister announced plans to make it a legal requirement for AI data centres to underwrite new energy generation, ensuring that no costs are passed onto homes or businesses and at least as much energy is put back into the grid as they take out of it.
'We cannot stop change'
Australia could not turn back the clock nor press pause on AI, the Prime Minister said.
"That would only mean cutting ourselves off from the opportunities which are there to be seized and leaving ourselves open to the risks created elsewhere," he said. "The fact that we cannot stop change does not render us powerless. Far from it.
"Our power, our agency, our choice lies in embracing change and shaping it. Not just adopting or accommodating AI; designing it, making it, building the capability right here, and building our sovereignty and our economic resilience as a result."
He added that Australia was moving on AI early, which meant it could set the terms and determine AI's social licence.
'Anything less is theft'
The Prime Minister also pushed back on calls from AI companies to water down copyright laws.
"No company should use Australian books, music, art, or news to build or train AI without the artist's control, and that includes the artist's control of the price and value of their work," he said.
"Anything less is theft."
Getting the framework right will enable faster approvals and make Australia a more attractive destination for international investors, he said.
