when we looked at submissions from tech and social media companies on the proposed framework, we found companies such as Facebook, Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) were broadly supportive of regulations – within certain limits.

If Apple can use AI to make our interaction with phones and computers more seamless, including the dozens of apps we navigate every day, that’s a good thing for developers. Those who suddenly have no moat around their business thanks to the rise of generative AI have some hard thinking to do.

The lack of investment in anything forward-looking that has the ability to boost capability in the digital economy is deflating and in stark contrast to what we saw delivered the Australian Federal Budget earlier this month.

We are unlikely to see similar growth-orientated tech and digital initiatives this year, not that the National Party, which owns most of the tech-related policy, isn’t interested in spending on tech, which it sees as an economic growth enabler.

Implementing and enforcing these will be challenging and there is the potential for people to bypass such “age assurance” controls.

AI errors and human errors cannot be avoided entirely. AI security protocols with “humans in the loop” need more careful safeguards that respect customer rights and protect against stereotyping.