Australia pushes digital duty of care bill as experts warn AI regulation window narrows

During a sold-out event at the Art Gallery of NSW, a group of technology specialists endorsed the Australian government’s digital duty of care bill, which sets minimum standards for social-media and AI services. Toby Walsh, a professor of AI at the University of NSW, referenced a California case where a family sued OpenAI’s ChatGPT, arguing it played a role in their son’s suicide, to illustrate the pressing need for regulation.

The legislation proposes fines of $100 million for companies that fail to meet the new rules and gives users greater control over their feeds. Samantha Yorke, head of AI at the Australian Communications and Media Authority, said AI firms will fall under the same regime and that effective global governance will require extensive diplomatic effort. Technology reporter Ange Lavoipierre warned that the opportunity to install safeguards is closing as AI systems become increasingly autonomous. The experts collectively urged swift action both domestically and internationally.