Government’s AI plan must include small business focus, says CPA
The professional body has urged the government to do more to encourage the adoption of AI by small businesses.
The government has unveiled a new plan aimed at growing investment in Australian AI capabilities in order to promote economic and productivity growth.
Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic announced yesterday that the Albanese Government will work together with industry to develop a National AI Capability Plan.
The National AI Capability Plan will review how existing state and federal government support mechanisms work together to hinder or enable Australia's AI ecosystem. It will also look for ways to boost private sector innovation and investment in AI capability.
The AI plan will also identify areas of research and innovation strength across universities and business for future industry growth. The plan will also explore new areas of comparative advantage in key sectors such as agriculture, mining and renewable energy.
It will also aim to accelerate AI literacy and skills and identify areas where sovereign capability or infrastructure is required for Australia to get the most out of AI technologies.
CPA Australia business and international lead Gavan Ord said the success of any AI Capability Plan will be contingent on many factors including appropriate regulation.
"The government must avoid its tendency to over-regulate and instead strike a balance between regulations that protect the community from identified high risk AI uses, while at the same time incentivising AI development and deployment," said Ord.
Ord said it was also critical that the AI Capability Plan has small business at its heat.
"As our Asia Pacific Small Business Survey continuously shows, Australian small businesses trail in the adoption of new technologies compared to other markets in the region," he said.
"Specific information and support on how small businesses can leverage AI must be easy to understand and apply – the recently released 70-page voluntary AI safety standard doesn’t meet that objective at this stage."
Ord said support could include targeted Incentives to encourage its adoption.
CPA Australia said the government should be taking inspiration from similar plans already set out by other countries, including Singapore, which has already started to implement its own national AI plan.
“Singapore's Digital Enterprise Blueprint sets out a series of ambitious government-private sector partnerships to grow the AI capability of its SMEs to ensure they not only keep pace with the global adoption of AI, but are themselves front-runners," said Ord.
With AI already transforming how businesses operate across numerous sectors, Ord said it is crucial that the government reacts quickly and appropriately to this change and the opportunities it can deliver.
However, Ord warned that the AI Capability Plan will only deliver a step change in AI adoption in Australia if the the government adequately consults with industries and business leaders.
"It’s vital that regulations are appropriate, targets are set and achieved, and support is provided in the right areas," he said.
The National AI Capability Plan follows the release of proposed mandatory guardrails to shape the use of AI in high-risk settings and the release of the first version of the Voluntary AI Safety Standard.
The AI plan is due to be delivered towards the end of 2025, following both a targeted and public consultation period.
Minister Ed Husic said it was critical that Australia scales up its capabilities in critical technologies, in ways that work for businesses and their workers.
“This plan will look to harness our AI know-how to secure our supply chains and strengthen our critical infrastructure," said Husic.
“This is something business is calling for and we’re delivering.
“We will work closely with firms, and with communities and workers, to drive investment in our AI capabilities.”
