An artificial intelligence (AI) strategy released by the NSW Government today will create jobs and deliver smarter and better services to citizens across NSW.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the strategy will create thousands of jobs across NSW including demand for IT professionals, cyber security experts, data scientists, and engineers.
"This is great news for citizens, researchers and businesses. We know how important AI is and this strategy puts us at the forefront of this emerging space," Ms Berejiklian said.
"Science, technology, engineering and mathematics will play a pivotal role in shaping our state's future economy and we cannot be spectators on the sidelines. We must lead and be the engine room for future jobs."
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the strategy sets a bold roadmap for the trusted, tested and transparent use of AI in government services.
"Whether it's at home, online, on the road or at the supermarket, the use of AI is becoming more prevalent in day-to-day life and is often deployed in subtle ways to make customer interactions and services more seamless," Mr Dominello said.
"This strategy brings together the three key pillars of privacy, transparency and security, within the prism of ethics."
A new body, the NSW Government AI Review Committee, will be established to oversee the use of AI across government. The Committee will be chaired by the NSW Government Chief Data Scientist, Ian Oppermann and work with all government agencies.
The strategy also prioritises the development of AI skills in government and will strengthen industry partnerships through a consistent approach to procurement of AI products and services.
Current examples of the use of AI in NSW Government include:
- Transport for NSW's use of AI and machine learning to anticipate required maintenance and proactively schedule downtime for maintenance, which helps increase passenger safety and equipment reliability
- NSW Health's use of algorithms from deidentified medical records, to assist with the early detection and treatment of sepsis in emergency department waiting rooms, which helps to save patient lives and improve service levels
- NSW Department of Planning, Industry & Environment use drones and AI to identify and protect threatened plants and animals which is part of the Saving our Species program.
The AI Strategy is the third pillar of the state government's commitment to making NSW the digital capital of the southern hemisphere, having recently launched policies on the Internet of Things and Smart Infrastructure.
The digital suite is secured by the record $240 million state-wide investment in cyber security, announced in June 2020.
For more details on the NSW Artificial Intelligence Strategy go to digital.nsw.
