Australia is getting its first major inquiry into AI. It's starting in South Australia

South Australia has launched a royal commission into artificial intelligence (AI) to establish guidelines for its development and regulation. Premier Peter Malinauskas sees AI as presenting significant opportunities but warns that unchecked development could pose risks to society and the future of work. The inquiry, expected to begin in October and conclude by July 2027, will focus on the economic and social benefits AI can bring to the state.

South Australia is well-positioned to benefit from AI due to its existing AI research, startup ecosystem, strong technical capabilities, and brilliant start-ups. The state government has been supporting AI research since 2018. However, experts question how much a state government can achieve in regulating AI when companies and technologies operate nationally and globally.

The royal commission is expected to address a wide range of issues, including the impact of AI on jobs, energy and water use, and its potential in health and education. It will also explore how Australia can maximize the benefits of AI while minimizing its downsides. Professor Toby Walsh, chief scientist at the University of New South Wales AI Institute, welcomed the inquiry but expressed concerns about the impact of AI on jobs and the speed at which the technology is advancing.

Malinauskas recently met with major technology companies in the United States, including OpenAI, Anthropic, and Apple, and signed a memorandum of understanding with OpenAI's co-founder and president, Greg Brockman. He hopes South Australia can set the agenda for AI development and ensure the technology is used in a way that prioritizes people.