Conservationists and scientists are raising concerns about a proposal from the Minerals Council of Australia to use artificial intelligence (AI) for national environmental approvals. They warn that this approach could replicate the issues seen in the “Robodebt” scandal, potentially endangering threatened species. The Minerals Council seeks $13 million for AI trials to streamline application processes but experts from the Biodiversity Council express skepticism, emphasizing that AI could make flawed decisions without transparency. They argue that the current environmental laws are vague, complicating both human and AI assessments. Experts advocate for clearer National Environmental Standards to improve efficiency, arguing that AI decisions depend heavily on quality data, which is often lacking for Australia’s threatened species. While supporters argue that AI can enhance decision-making, critics insist that hiring more assessors and improving data quality should be the priority to ensure effective biodiversity protection.
Source link
Share
Read more