Direct link: digital.gov.au/policy/ai/transparency-statements
Responsible agency: Digital Transformation Agency
Last updated: 29 August 2024
Under the Policy for the responsible use of AI in government, agencies must Publish an AI transparency statement and keep it updated. The Standard for AI transparency statements establishes a consistent format and expectation for AI transparency statements. Clear and consistent transparency statements build public trust and make it easier to understand and compare how government agencies adopt AI.
Transparency is critical to building public trust and is an important aim of the Policy for responsible use of AI in government and broader APS Reform agenda. The standard supports this agenda by demonstrating how agencies monitor the effectiveness of deployed AI systems and their measures to protect against negative impacts.
The standard takes effect on 1 September 2024.
The standard is mandatory for any Non-corporate Commonwealth entities required to apply the Policy for the responsible use of AI in government.
Access the standard
The digital.gov.au website hosts the Standard for AI transparency statements (full text).
Standard for AI transparency statements statements
Agencies must make publicly available a statement outlining their approach to AI adoption as directed by the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA).
Agencies must provide the following information regarding their use of AI in their transparency statement:
- the intentions behind why the agency uses AI or is considering its adoption
- classification of AI use according to usage patterns and domains
- classification of use where the public may directly interact with, or be significantly impacted by, AI without a human intermediary or intervention
- measures to monitor the effectiveness of deployed AI systems, such as governance or processes
- compliance with applicable legislation and regulation
- efforts to identify and protect the public against negative impacts
- compliance with each requirement under the Policy for responsible use of AI in government
- when the statement was most recently updated.
Statements must:
- use clear, plain language that is consistent with the Australian Government Style Manual and avoid technical jargon
- provide or direct to a public contact email for further enquiries.
Agencies must review and update AI transparency statements:
- at least once a year
- when making a significant change to the agency’s approach to AI
- when any new factor materially impacts the existing statement’s accuracy.