Governing AI: How are governments engaging with generative AI?

07/16/24 • 56 min

Generative artificial intelligence has dominated headlines across the world for the past two years. Popular models include OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini and image generators like Midjourney. However, generative AI sits at the intersection of several cross-cutting issues – from data governance and privacy to innovative capacity – that impact businesses, government and society at large. As a result, governments are tackling this challenge from very different directions.

Why are governments so keen to develop generative AI and foundation models? What are governments doing to encourage generative AI? How might that backfire? What controls could be put on the data used to train AI?

To answer these questions and many more, the Emerging Technology Program at the United States Studies Centre was pleased to host Professor Susan Ariel Aaronson, Research Professor from George Washington University and Director of the Digital Trade and Governance Hub. Susan is also co-principal investigator with the NSF-NIST (National Science Foundation and National Institute of Standards and Technology) Institute for Trustworthy AI in Law & Society, TRAILS, where she leads research on data and AI governance.

Hayley Channer, Director of the Economic Security Program with the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney hosted the discussion. Hayley has a diverse background having worked as an Australian Government official, Ministerial adviser, think tank analyst, and represented global non-profit organisations.

Professor Susan Ariel Aaronson’s trip to Australia was made possible by the generous support of the US Department of State.

Professor Susan Ariel Aaronson’s trip to Australia was made possible by the generous support of the US Department of State.

Previous Episode

AUKUS, allies and partners

AUKUS is making waves internationally as an ambitious program of industrial integration, economic development, and strategic alignment between the US and two of its strongest allies. As other likeminded states in the Indo-Pacific consider their strategic options in a period of rapid geostrategic change, there is increasing discussion of expanding participation in AUKUS through formal and informal partnerships, demonstrated most clearly in a recent decision of the AUKUS defence ministers to consider cooperation with Japan on AUKUS Pillar II advanced capability projects.

At this event, panellists Dr Zack Cooper, Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute; Professor Peter Dean, Director, Foreign Policy and Defence, United States Studies Centre; Jennifer Parker, Expert Associate at the National Security College, Australian National University and an Adjunct Fellow in Naval Studies at the University of New South Wales Canberra, and Professor Alessio Patalano, Professor of War and Strategy in East Asia discussed the potential for widening AUKUS participation to other likeminded states, including Japan, South Korea, Canada, the Philippines, and New Zealand.

Panellists discussed the case for and against expanding participation in AUKUS and what expanded participation in AUKUS would look like in practice. Hayley Channer, Director, Economic Security at the United States Studies Centre moderated the discussion.

This event was part of the United States Studies Centre's "Next Generation Leaders in the Australia-US Alliance initiative" and was supported by funding from the US State Department.

Next Episode

Election Watch 2024: Reflections on the Republican National Convention

The 2024 US presidential election campaign is reaching fever pitch. Former president Donald Trump’s coronation as the 2024 Republican presidential nominee at the Republican National Convention will make him the first major party candidate to be nominated for three consecutive elections in 80 years. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party is consumed with speculation over whether President Joe Biden will make a last-minute withdrawal from the race.

What are the key takeaways from the 2024 Republican National Convention? What is the diverse Never Trump coalition’s strategy for taking him on amid growing questions about President Biden’s viability? What should Australians be watching for in the lead up to the election?

To answer these questions, USSC hosted a live panel featuring co-host of popular television show “Planet America” on ABC TV Chas Licciardello, former Assistant Press Secretary for President Ronald Reagan Kim Hoggard, and USSC Director of Research Jared Mondschein, in a conversation moderated by USSC Director of Engagement and Impact Mari Koeck.