Australia will introduce laws regulating how artificial intelligence data centres consume electricity and water, while strengthening copyright protections for creative works, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday.
In a landmark speech outlining his government’s AI strategy, Albanese sought to ease public concerns about the technology, saying it could be developed in a way that serves Australia’s national interest.
The centre-left leader said he would meet state and territory leaders next month to discuss the proposed legislation, which is expected to be introduced next year to build public trust in AI and strengthen national security.
Albanese said Australia had led the world in introducing restrictions on children’s use of social media, but argued that shaping the development of AI was an even greater challenge requiring immediate action.
“If we hang back and stand still this will just run right over the top of us,” he said during a speech at the University of Sydney.
“Our great country can be much more than a data warehouse for AI products made overseas.”
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The proposed rules would impose clear legal obligations on large data centres, requiring them to return more electricity to the grid than they consume, minimise water use and avoid competing with housing developments for land.
The government also plans to establish a dedicated AI office within the prime minister’s department to oversee national policy.
