Latest episode

In this episode of DBrief, Jeff Wilson turns the tables and interviews Louise McGrath about a series of major policy developments shaping the operating environment for Australian industry.

The conversation begins with artificial intelligence, following the Prime Minister's announcement of a new Office of AI. The discussion examines what the shift means for businesses, how Australia's approach compares internationally, and why issues such as trust, copyright, data centres and social licence are becoming increasingly important as AI adoption accelerates.

Recent AI policy interventions from China and the Vatican also feature, highlighting the broader questions societies are grappling with as AI reshapes economies, workplaces and daily life. There is a growing intersection between AI and cybersecurity, including new warnings from the Five Eyes intelligence partnership about the pace at which AI is changing both cyber threats and cyber defences.

Finally, the discussion explores new US tariff measures linked to forced labour concerns, the implications for global supply chains, and how Australia's modern slavery framework is evolving as regulatory expectations continue to rise.

Key takeaways

• The establishment of a new Office of AI signals a more coordinated, whole-of-government approach to AI policy, governance and data centre development.
• Building public trust and social licence will be critical to unlocking the economic and productivity benefits of AI.
• China is positioning itself as a major global AI power through large-scale deployment, open-source technologies and international capability-building initiatives.
• The debate around AI is increasingly moving beyond technology and into broader questions of ethics, governance and societal change.
• Five Eyes agencies are warning that frontier AI models will rapidly transform both offensive and defensive cyber capabilities, with impacts measured in months rather than years.
• Businesses need stronger cyber awareness, governance and workforce training as AI tools become more deeply embedded in daily operations.
• New US tariff measures linked to forced labour requirements are creating additional complexity for international trade and supply chains.
• Australia's modern slavery framework is evolving, with businesses facing growing expectations around supply chain transparency and accountability.

Contact the Industry Development & Policy team here.