State Government of Western Australia

11/04/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/04/2024 02:36

Experts sought for WA Government's new AI advisory board

  • Expressions of interest open for Western Australian Government Artificial Intelligence (AI) Advisory Board
  • Board to advise on safe and responsible use of AI in Government
  • Support implementation of the WA AI Policy and Assurance Framework
  • Seeking members that specialise in technology, ethics and data governance

The Cook Government is looking for experts to sit on a new artificial intelligence (AI) advisory board.

Innovation and the Digital Economy Minister Stephen Dawson said expressions of interest are open to become an inaugural member of the Western Australian Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Board and support the State Government's new AI policy, driving safe and responsible public sector innovation.

The new board will provide strategic advice to mitigate potential risks of Government AI projects and advise on the design, build and use of AI or data-driven tools.

The independent board will support the implementation of Western Australia's AI Policy and Assurance Framework, which was released in March, by setting the standard for AI use across the public sector and prioritising ethical considerations.

Board members will support a high-impact and emerging area of policy, recognising the transformative potential of AI tools in WA's public sector in a safe and responsible manner.

The proposed board will be made up of an interdisciplinary group of experts with real-world knowledge and experience of AI technology and application in high-impact industries and communities. Other attributes include an understanding of risk regulation, ethics, human rights, data privacy and governance.

Senior industry leaders and technology specialists across WA's diverse skills landscape are encouraged to apply, including those from a range of backgrounds and perspectives such as people with disability, LGBTQI+, gender diverse, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse people and those with experience with marginalised groups.

For more information and to apply, please visit: wa.gov.au/AIAdvisoryBoard.

The expression of interest is open until 4pm Monday, 25 November 2024.

Comments attributed to Innovation and the Digital Economy Minister Stephen Dawson:

"The Cook Government is ensuring the appropriate checks and balances are in place as AI is increasingly trialled and adopted across Government.

"This new AI advisory board will be a crucial component to ensuring safe and responsible AI adoption in the public sector.

"Whilst the uptake of AI varies across the public sector, there is an increasing need to ensure that the adoption of AI technologies is considered in line with privacy and ethical factors that protect the rights of all people in WA.

"Governments and industries across the world are adopting AI at an accelerating rate. The opportunities that exist in the use of AI across Government are highly promising for the future of WA.

"Our Government's AI Policy and Assurance Framework puts WA well ahead of the game in advancing the understanding and use of machine learning tools for public good."