IN THIS GUIDE
- 01Keep an inventory of approved uses
- 02Assess the use case and its impact
- 03Set information boundaries
Keep an inventory of approved uses
List the AI systems your organisation uses, what each one is for, what information it handles and who is responsible. Keep the list current so the business can review what is actually being used.
Assess the use case and its impact
The level of oversight should reflect what the system influences. Drafting internal text is different from making or recommending a decision that affects a customer, worker or member of the public. Document the people affected, foreseeable failure modes and the controls around the use.
Set information boundaries
Define what information may enter the system, where it is processed, who can access it and how long it is retained. Australian privacy obligations may apply when personal information is involved. Obtain advice for the organisation’s specific legal and regulatory position.
Make human responsibility explicit
Decide which outputs need review and who makes the final decision. Staff need enough information and authority to correct a result or stop an action, plus a way to raise concerns.
Test before and after deployment
Evaluate representative tasks, difficult cases and unacceptable outcomes before release. Continue monitoring quality, incidents, user feedback and changes to the system or workflow. An AI capability can drift away from its original purpose even when the model itself has not changed.
Be transparent about the role of AI
Explain AI use where it matters to the people interacting with the business. Policies, customer notices, staff guidance and system interfaces should describe the role accurately and avoid implying that automated output is human judgement.
Keep reviewing the supplier after purchase
Supplier review should cover intended use, information handling, security, model limitations and change notifications. Keep monitoring after purchase because features, integrations and provider terms can change the risk profile.
USE THIS IN PRACTICE
AI governance starter checklist
- 01
Maintain an inventory of systems, uses and accountable owners.
- 02
Assess impact, affected people and foreseeable failures.
- 03
Define approved information, access and retention.
- 04
Set human review, challenge and escalation paths.
- 05
Test representative and unacceptable outcomes.
- 06
Train users and monitor quality, incidents and change.
- 07
Explain material AI use to the people affected.
Common questions
Is this legal advice about AI in Australia?
No. It is an operational starting point. Organisations should obtain advice about the privacy, employment, consumer, sector and other obligations that apply to their use.
Does using a private model remove governance needs?
No. Deployment control can change some risks, but purpose, access, quality, human responsibility and monitoring still need to be defined.
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