OpenAI faces federal inquiry scrutiny over how it will prevent its AI models from inappropriately accessing Australian data, with hearings set to grill the company alongside Anthropic, Microsoft and Google.
OpenAI must explain how it will stop its models from inappropriately accessing Australian data, the Labor chair of the parliament’s committee on artificial intelligence has warned, according to the Guardian. The warning comes ahead of federal inquiry hearings that will question the tech company alongside Anthropic, Microsoft and Google.
The hearings will run over four days and feature a broad range of participants. The Guardian reports that unions, employer groups, banks and industry experts will appear alongside the major AI companies.
Independent senator David Pocock is also demanding answers. He said OpenAI “still have a lot they need to answer” about their AI agent accessing Services Australia data on Medicare, according to the Guardian.
Pocock also criticised the company’s response time, describing OpenAI’s “appalling” tardiness in notifying the federal government about the incident, the Guardian reported.
The inquiry brings together government scrutiny and industry participation at a time of growing attention on how artificial intelligence systems interact with sensitive personal and government data in Australia.
Why it matters
The inquiry highlights concerns about how powerful AI systems handle sensitive personal and government data, including Medicare information. How OpenAI and other major companies respond could shape future oversight and safeguards for Australians' private data.
Frequently asked questions
Which companies will appear at the Australian AI inquiry?
According to the Guardian, OpenAI, Anthropic, Microsoft and Google will appear, alongside unions, employer groups, banks and industry experts, over four days of hearings.
What data incident is OpenAI being questioned about?
Senator David Pocock raised concerns about OpenAI's AI agent accessing Services Australia data on Medicare, and criticised the company's delay in notifying the federal government about the incident.
Who is leading the scrutiny of OpenAI?
The Labor chair of parliament's committee on artificial intelligence has warned OpenAI must explain its safeguards, and independent senator David Pocock is also demanding answers.