Law Report AI and automated decision making in government
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Jul 8, 2025 Terry Carney, an Emeritus Law Professor who exposed the Robo-debt crisis, Kimberley Wetherill, a law professor focused on AI ethics, and Kate Ellingham, CEO of Economic Justice Australia, discuss the pitfalls of automated decision-making in government. They highlight the disastrous consequences of Robo-debt, advocating for stricter oversight and transparency in AI applications. The need for robust governance structures to protect vulnerable populations is emphasized, alongside lessons learned from previous failures in social security automation.
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Limited Transparency in Government AI
- Australia uses AI in diverse government functions but lacks a central transparency register.
- This causes limited public knowledge and oversight of AI applications in government.
Social Security Coding Glitch
- A coding error in Australia's social security system wrongly penalized over 1,000 people for years.
- Some impacted individuals received penalties repeatedly and compensation arrived too late for some.
UK Sham Marriage AI Tool Controversy
- The UK Home Office uses an AI tool to flag sham marriages that disproportionately targets certain nationalities.
- Key criteria remain secret, arguing public disclosure would let people game the algorithm.