Northern Territory Government Establishes New AI Policy for Public Sector

The Northern Territory (NT) Government has formally introduced its Artificial Intelligence Policy, setting clear guidelines for public sector officers regarding the use of AI systems, tools, and components within government operations. This policy applies universally to all NT Government agencies, staff, contractors, and service providers, encompassing any AI technology, whether procured externally, developed in-house, or publicly available, used on government or personal devices. A core tenet of the policy is the requirement for all AI usage to adhere strictly to the acceptable use of digital resources policy, the Code of Conduct, and the ethical principles outlined in the NT Government’s AI Assurance Framework. This framework is specifically designed to assess and manage the risks associated with AI systems that have a tangible impact on government services, operations, or the public. Such impactful AI systems are mandated to undergo a thorough assessment against this framework. The policy differentiates between various types of AI tools. For widely available, standalone commercial AI tools intended for general productivity, their use is permitted under specific conditions. These conditions primarily stipulate that personal and sensitive information must not be entered or uploaded into these tools, and users must retain full control over the final output. Furthermore, public sector officers are explicitly required to validate any AI-generated content for accuracy, bias, relevance, and appropriateness before its use. These general productivity tools do not necessitate assessment against the broader AI Assurance Framework, provided these strict conditions are met. The overarching goal of this policy is to ensure that AI is leveraged responsibly, ethically, and in a manner that aligns with legal and societal expectations. By establishing clear guidelines, the NT Government aims to mitigate risks such as biased or discriminatory outputs, ensure regulatory compliance with emerging AI laws, and build public trust in government AI initiatives. The policy underscores the importance of transparency, accountability, and the continuous evaluation of AI systems to prevent misuse and promote beneficial applications. This proactive approach seeks to harness AI's potential to cut costs, free up labor hours for critical tasks, and deliver more targeted and efficient public services, while safeguarding against potential harms.