Digital Rights

AI technology is rapidly outpacing government regulation. Sexual and political deepfakes and large language models crawling online content of children and babies highlight the need for guardrails when it comes to AI – but the government has been too slow to react.

AI has enormous potential benefits, but it also has the potential to harm society, the economy, and our personal lives.

The Greens are working to ensure that the benefits of AI are shared by all and that risks are managed.

The Greens' plan:

• Create an Independent Regulator and an independent Digital Rights Commissioner.
• The regulator will require Digital Rights Impact Assessments for machine learning and other AI technologies that can negatively impact the public. 
• Ensure transparency and accountability around how Big Tech uses AI, including algorithms and generative AI, increased access to data held by Big Tech firms, and a chain of accountability for when AI goes wrong or causes harm.

AI and machine learning technologies are transforming workplaces, with 40% of jobs now exposed to, or at risk from their impacts.

It is essential that workers and unions play a central role in evaluating and implementing workplace AI technologies.

It is a priority for the Greens that the wealth generated by new technologies is equitably shared, and is used to enhance workers’ rights rather than diminish them.

A regulated, worker-centred transition, with oversight under Fair Work Australia, will ensure fair changes and prevent exploitative uses of AI, as seen in companies such as Woolworths, Amazon, and Uber.

The Greens' plan:

• Establish a new AI Workplace Change Division (AIWCD) within Fair Work Australia to regulate impactful AI applications in workplaces and appoint an AIWCD Commissioner.
• Grant the AIWCD the power to review and amend high-impact AI workplace change proposals to protect workers' rights.

AI is already used in our education system, especially by private education providers and contractors. However, EdTech is often exempt from privacy and other rules, raising real concerns for students and teachers.

Teachers, students and our entire education system must be supported and equipped with the skills to use technology safely and effectively to deliver the best educational outcomes

The Greens' plan:

• Establish an AI Advisory Board within the Department of Education, including teachers' unions and student representatives, to oversee AI implementation in schools and ensure safeguards are implemented.
• Develop AI literacy and training programs for teachers, students, carers, and support staff through the Advisory Board’s guidance.
• Empower students as digital citizens by including their voices in AI-related decision-making processes.
• Put in place safeguards on the use of AI technologies in education to protect students’ privacy, safety, and development.

AI is already used in our education system, especially by private education providers and contractors. However, EdTech is often exempt from privacy and other rules, raising real concerns for students and teachers.

Teachers, students and our entire education system must be supported and equipped with the skills to use technology safely and effectively to deliver the best educational outcomes.

The Greens' plan:

• Establish an AI Advisory Board within the Department of Education, including teachers' unions and student representatives, to oversee AI implementation in schools and ensure safeguards are implemented
• Develop AI literacy and training programs for teachers, students, carers, and support staff through the Advisory Board’s guidance.
• Empower students as digital citizens by including their voices in AI-related decision-making processes.
• Put in place safeguards on the use of AI technologies in education to protect students’ privacy, safety, and development.

Digital rights are essential for a fair and just society. People deserve control over their data, transparency in automated decision-making, and robust protections against misuse.

Recent disasters like Robodebt and high-profile data breaches highlight the urgent need for bold laws prioritising privacy, consent, and accountability.

The Greens' plan:

• Mandate accountability and transparency in automated decision-making systems to prevent unjust outcomes like Robodebt.
• Limit the data businesses and governments can collect and store to reduce the risk of breaches and misuse.
• Require sensitive personal data to be stored within Australia to safeguard against foreign exploitation.
• Restrict the collection and use of data for personalised targeting, prioritising community interests over corporate profits.
• Ensure data collection requires explicit, informed, opt-in consent with limits on future unauthorised uses.