SESSION OVERVIEW
This presentation argues that Australia needs a coherent legal framework for AI governance built around a digital duty of care. It examines the shift from voluntary guidance to mandatory standards and a national Office of AI. It considers what statutory duties should require of AI developers and deployers to prevent foreseeable harm. It also examines the economic dimension of governance, including the risk that Australia captures growth in GDP from AI while much of the resulting income and intellectual property flows offshore. It discusses the corresponding case for retaining ownership of data, creative works, and compute capability domestically
PRESENTER
Dr Rob Nicholls is a senior research associate at the University of Sydney. His research work focuses on the intersection of technology and regulation. He also advises senior executives of regulators, governments, and the regulated sector both in Australia and overseas.
Rob has won and managed grants from the ARC as well as from industry partners. He has appeared as an expert witness in Federal Court proceedings. Rob has made numerous submissions to government inquiries and regularly provides media commentary.
Rob has had a forty-year career. His first degree was in electronics and communications engineering from the University of Birmingham, and he was awarded his PhD and MA by UNSW Sydney. He has worked for Webb Henderson, the ACCC and spent twelve years as a client-facing consultant at Gilbert + Tobin, including as a partner. From 2012 to 2020, Rob was Australia’s Independent Telecommunications Adjudicator. He is an accredited mediator.