The Australian Government has released a new AI technical standard to help federal agencies embed transparency, accountability, and safety in their use of artificial intelligence. Developed by the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA), the standard offers a lifecycle approach for integrating responsible AI practices into government services.
Lucy Poole, General Manager of Digital Strategy at the DTA, said the goal is to position Australia as a global leader in safe AI adoption without stifling innovation. “Our technical standard was developed with extensive research and consultation,” Poole explained. “It keeps public trust front of mind while fitting into agencies’ existing governance and delivery frameworks.”
The AI technical standard complements existing DTA guidance and provides a clear structure for managing AI systems across three key phases: Discover, Operate, and Retire.
During the Discover phase, agencies are instructed to define the AI system’s purpose and ensure its design accounts for ethical risks, fairness, and accountability. Data quality, privacy protections, and bias management are emphasized, along with model training and evaluation techniques such as adversarial testing.
The Operate phase focuses on secure deployment, user-focused integration, and continuous monitoring to detect biases or performance issues. Agencies must also maintain audit logs and make timely updates to their AI systems.
The final Retire phase ensures systems are responsibly decommissioned, including risk assessments and data retention compliance.
“The AI technical standard helps agencies keep people at the forefront,” said Poole. “From human oversight to inclusive design, it ensures AI serves the public ethically and effectively.”
Agencies are encouraged to begin applying the standard immediately.
The DTA oversees the government’s digital and ICT strategies, including procurement, assurance, and standards.
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