Data centres say narrow AI focus harms Australian industry

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 8 Oct, 17:55 · Archive

Data centre and financial companies tell an Australian government inquiry that public misunderstandings of artificial intelligence are damaging broader technology sectors.

A government inquiry probing Australia's AI future heard concerns from data centres and financial technology companies that they are being wrongly tainted by public anxiety about generative artificial intelligence.

CDC, a data centre company part-owned by Australia's sovereign wealth fund, told the inquiry on Friday that it specialises in work for government agencies and universities but is not involved in commercial generative AI. Chief strategy officer Jack Dan said people rarely understood the difference between types of AI work, meaning data centres became seen as representations of all AI concerns, from job losses to existential risks. "People think that every single data centre in this country must be hosting AI," he said. "We take care of all the systems everyone relies on every day."

FinTech Australia, the peak body for financial technology, will tell the inquiry to think beyond what it calls "narrow" conversations about generative AI. Chair Sarah Gorman is expected to highlight other AI applications already in use, including credit reports in accessible languages for migrants, help in fraud investigations and bank transaction reviews. Representatives from major banks Westpac, NAB and ANZ will also appear before the inquiry, which has spent a week questioning big tech companies, industry experts and development companies about whether AI is advancing too rapidly.

How it is being reported

• 'Narrow' view of AI costing Australians, inquiry toldData centres and peak bodies will face a government inquiry about misperceptions of the work they do, saying commercial AI is overrunning them.Perth Now · 8 Oct, 17:34
• 'Narrow' view of AI costing Australians, inquiry toldData centres and peak bodies will face a government inquiry about misperceptions of the work they do, saying commercial AI is overrunning them.The West Australian · 8 Oct, 17:34

In this story: CDC · Australia · Jack Dan · FinTech Australia · Sarah Gorman · Westpac · NAB · ANZ

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem