Australian agencies quietly weaken AI oversight safeguards
Government agencies are removing rules that require humans to oversee AI use. The oversight body does not track these changes.
Government agencies are quietly removing rules that keep humans in control of AI. The Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) runs AI policy.
The DTA does not track when departments change their public statements about AI use. A data scientist tracked dozens of changes across some of the government's most powerful departments.
The Department of Social Services made changes seven times since February 2025. The Treasury removed a promise not to use AI when the public could be harmed.
The Department of Health removed a rule requiring humans to check AI accuracy. The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations lifted a ban on AI for service delivery.
It now allows AI to guide human decision-makers. The DTA said it is 'not a regulator' and does not approve individual statements.
Scientists and unions warned it is unclear who is responsible for ensuring AI is used safely.
- 7 times since February 2025
- DSS statement changes
- Digital Transformation Agency
- Policy overseer
- DTA says it is not a regulator
- Tracking responsibility
- Dr Gabrielle Josling
- Researcher warning
Why it mattersIf government AI systems make decisions about your welfare, health, or employment without proper human checks or public accountability, mistakes and bias can happen. They can go unseen and uncorrected.
AustraliaAustralian welfare, tax, health and employment decisions increasingly rely on AI, but there is now no clear body verifying that safeguards are in place or that humans remain in control of outcomes that affect your life.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
Open this story in InSnip →
