Motions

Artificial Intelligence

Mr BROWN (Florey) (11:01): I move:

That this house establish a select committee on artificial intelligence (AI) to investigate and report on—

(a) the current state of AI development, deployment and application across various sectors, with a particular focus on the economic, social and ethical implications for South Australia;

(b) the potential for AI to transform sectors critical to the South Australian economy, such as agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and services, and the skills required for this transformation;

(c) issues surrounding the use of AI in the commission of criminal offences;

(d) the challenges and opportunities of AI in relation to privacy, data security and the ethical use of AI, including the risk of bias in AI decision-making;

(e) the potential for South Australia to develop a competitive advantage in AI, including through the development of a strong AI research and development sector, the attraction of international AI investment and the training and retention of AI talent; and

(f) any other related matter.

Unless you have been living under the proverbial rock for the last year, you would have noticed the hype that has surrounded artificial intelligence (AI). Many have speculated that the future widespread adoption of artificial intelligence will have the same effect on our economy and our society as the adoption of the internal combustion engine or the telephone—that is, completely transformative.

Even if this is only partially true, it seems certain that we are at the beginning of a period of major change. Whilst it is true that there are only limited actions that can be taken by a state such as ours to situate us favourably regarding the future that is to come, they do exist and I believe an investigation by this house is the most appropriate vehicle to do so. It is worth considering some of the areas of investigation laid out in the motion in detail.

AI has a capability to dramatically enhance agriculture in this state, for example. Overseas AI-based systems are already using machine vision, temperature sensors, moisture sensors, soil analysis and infrared data from drones to advise farmers on how to maximise yield, nutrition and flavour. Experiments are already being conducted to use AI-driven robotics in harvesting, and successful experiments have even been conducted into how the humble sheepdog may be replaced by a drone.

Regarding mining, perhaps no jurisdiction in the world is so impacted by overburden-driven uncertainty as South Australia. AI systems that can analyse data from various sources—such as geochemical, geomagnetic and satellite data—can be used to identify prospects with a greater degree of certainty and thus encourage more investment in our state.

It is a fact that any transformative invention—including the telephone, the motor vehicle or the internet—has been used for both good and ill. One of the first known examples of AI being used to commit a criminal offence was in 2019, when an official with a company in the United Kingdom was asked by someone she thought was her CEO to transfer €243,000 to a company in Hungary. In fact, the voice was computer generated, with the model likely trained on public appearances the CEO had made. Such crimes are now regularly attempted on larger and also much smaller scales by organised gangs across the world.

Another very worrying trend is the increase in so-called pornographic deepfake videos. A 2019 study showed that 96 per cent of all deepfake videos known were non-consensual pornography of women. It is a sad indictment on our society that nearly any woman with a global profile has been the subject of a pornographic deepfake video. However, the technology is now regularly being used to create videos that have been commissioned by men to humiliate women known to them. New laws may be required to properly deal with this issue, and I believe that it is something the committee should examine specifically.

AI has also been used successfully in crime investigation. It has been used to find the likely relatives of murderers and rapists by sorting through vast amounts of DNA data held by genealogy databases. AI-enhanced facial recognition has been used to find missing people and international fugitives. It is also currently being used in Ukraine to identify victims of alleged Russian war crimes. However, these two examples also raise issues of privacy.

Models are enhanced by giving them more data. The form of that data, where it is sourced, and who ultimately owns it are questions that need to be addressed in our local context. South Australians should have confidence that their personal data is not being misused, especially in the cause of profit. Hopefully this will be something for the committee to consider. Bias, particularly in models of risk assessment, is an issue that has been raised internationally, with a number of jurisdictions in the United States ceasing the use of AI in crime prevention due to the issue of racial bias.

We know that the mass introduction of AI technology will provide opportunities, but equally important is the identification of the skills required in our populace to take advantage of these opportunities. This does not just mean a demand for researchers and programmers but the identification of which skills we can equip our society with more generally to take advantage of the productivity gains AI can provide. Just as basic computer knowledge and skills have been added to our school curriculum, so I believe we will eventually add knowledge of AI concepts.

Other less obvious impacts are likely to be observed. For example, South Australia has an ageing population, and we need to ensure that our older South Australians have the capability and support to make the most of these new technologies. AI technology may also assist people in ageing in place. That is why digital literacy and training is an area that will also need to be considered to ensure that its full potential is able to be accessed by all South Australians.

There has also been much said about the use of AI, particularly ChatGPT, in an education setting. When the model was unveiled in November, there was concern expressed by many that the relative ease with which it could be used to write essays would lead to an explosion of cheating and undermine the very foundations of our teaching system. Many jurisdictions moved to introduce an immediate ban. I was pleased to see that our state was being a little more forward thinking in committing to exploring ways in which AI can be used to improve educational outcomes, such as using the Socratic method with individual students or by assisting teachers with marking or lesson planning.

In 1970, the renowned AI researcher Marvin Minsky said 'from three to eight years we will have a machine with the general intelligence of an average human being'. This can easily be compared with the hype that currently surrounds generative AI and ChatGPT in particular. Many prognostications have been made and will be made about how AI is going to change every facet of our lives in the very near future.

It is not my intention for this committee to come back with a shopping list of plots for science fiction stories, but instead to acknowledge that the age when AI is regularly used as a tool for the enhancement of productivity in our society for both good and ill is now upon us. There is opportunity for this house to ensure that the proper framework exists so that our state can continue to be a leader not only in AI research but also in the practical application of this technology to enhance our lives. I commend the motion to the house.

Mr TEAGUE (Heysen) (11:09): Briefly, I indicate the opposition's support for this meritorious committee. I commend the member for moving its establishment. I indicate that there is clear interest across the house and I look forward to contributing to the important work ahead of the committee. I commend the motion.

Motion carried.

Mr BROWN: I move:

That a committee be appointed consisting of Mr Ellis, Mr Odenwalder, Mr Patterson, Mr Teague, Ms Thompson and the mover.

Motion carried.

Mr BROWN: I move:

That the committee have power to send for persons, papers and records and to adjourn from place to place and that it report on 30 November 2023.

Motion carried.

Mr BROWN: I move:

That standing order 328 be so far suspended as to enable the Chair to have a deliberative and a casting vote.

The SPEAKER: An absolute majority is required and is not present, ring the bells.

An absolute majority of the whole number of members being present:

The SPEAKER: An absolute majority being present, I accept the motion.

Motion carried.