Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee

ANSWER TO QUESTION ON NOTICE

2024-25 Budget Estimates

The Hon Bill Shorten MP

Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme

Minister for Government Services

Topic: Use of Artificial Intelligence - Intergovernmental Guidance

Question reference number: NDIA SQ24-000177

Question asked by: James McGrath

Outcome Number: 3

Type of Question: Written

Hansard Page/s:

Date set by the Committee for the return of answer: 25 July 2024

Question:

Question 1: The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet has stated that the Digital Transformation Agency and the Department of Industry Science and Resources have released interim guidance to ‘all government agencies’ on the proper and adequate utilisation of Artificial intelligence.

Has the NDIS employed this guidance?

Question 2: What internal steps have been taken to employ this guidance?

Question 3: Has the NDIS passed on this advice from the DTA to their third-party contractors?

Question 4: Does the NDIS require that third party contractors adhere to the DTA’s guidance on the utilisation of AI? If not, is there another policy in place?

Answer:

Yes. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) first employed this guidance in the development of the interim policy on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and provided advice to NDIA staff who are taking part in the trial of Copilot for Microsoft 365. The Agency is subsequently in the process of updating this policy to align with the ‘National framework for the assurance of artificial intelligence in government’ (AI Framework) released on 21 June 2024.

All third-party contractors, including labour hire staff, are required to adhere to the Agency’s policies while providing services to the Agency. This includes the Agency’s Use of AI, Generative AI, and Machine Learning – Interim Policy (Interim Policy), which was developed using the Digital Transformation Agency advice and guidance that form the basis of the Framework.

The Agency requires that anyone, regardless of engagement type, must comply with all Agency policies and practices including the interim policy and undertake any required training. Third party contractors have this stipulated in their contracts.

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