Summary:
La Commission de Productivité d’Australie a publié un rapport intérimaire sur l’utilisation des données et des technologies numériques pour améliorer la productivité. Le rapport identifie quatre domaines clés : le potentiel de productivité de l’IA, l’accès aux données, la régulation de la confidentialité axée sur les résultats et la nécessité du reporting financier numérique. Ces réformes visent à générer des gains économiques significatifs et à stimuler l’innovation tout en assurant la protection des consommateurs.
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Original Article:
The Productivity Commission (PC) has released its interim report, “Harnessing data and digital technology,” detailing strategic reforms aimed at leveraging advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies to drive Australia’s productivity and economic growth. This is the third of five inquiries commissioned to address national productivity challenges.
## Key Policy Reform Areas
The interim report outlines four main focus areas for its recommendations:
1. **Enable AI’s Productivity Potential**: The report estimates that AI can contribute more than $116 billion to Australian economic activity over the next decade. It proposes a regulatory framework that refines existing regulations to address AI-related risks while fostering growth, with AI-specific regulations considered only as a last resort. This aims to ensure Australia remains competitive and does not miss out on the transformative benefits of AI.
2. **New Pathways to Expand Data Access**: The Commission calls for simple and flexible regulatory mechanisms to improve individual and business access to data. Gradual implementation starting in low-compliance-cost, high-benefit areas is recommended. These measures are projected to deliver productivity gains amounting to $10 billion annually. Enhanced data access could spur innovation, competition, and create personalized value for consumers, such as improved products and services.
3. **Supporting Safe Data Access and Use through Outcomes-Based Privacy Regulation**: The report critiques existing privacy regulations under the Privacy Act for being overly prescriptive, costly, and failing to deliver expected consumer protections. It recommends shifting focus from compliance procedures to outcomes by creating alternative compliance pathways for businesses. This approach aims to streamline operations while safeguarding consumer data more effectively.
4. **Enhance Reporting Efficiency, Transparency, and Accuracy through Digital Financial Reporting**: Highlighting inefficiencies in the current system, where financial reporting is often done in non-digital formats, the report advocates for mandatory digital financial reporting. This change would reduce processing errors, save time and costs, and improve financial decision-making capabilities nationwide.
## Economic and Innovation Impacts
The report emphasizes that strategic adoption and regulation of AI, better data accessibility, and digital financial reporting are critical for Australia’s productivity revival. According to Commissioner Stephen King, these recommendations aim to replicate the productivity growth seen in previous decades as technological advancements enhanced Australians’ living standards.
### Submission Deadline and Consultation
The PC invites written submissions from individuals, businesses, and organizations to refine its recommendations. Submissions must be submitted by **5 pm AEST Monday 15 September 2025**. The Commission will also host a webinar on **12 pm AEST Monday 11 August 2025** to discuss the report.
The final report will incorporate feedback and be made available later this year on the PC’s website: www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/data-digital#interim
## Contact Information
For media inquiries, please contact 02 6240 3330 or email media@pc.gov.au. Printed copies of the report can be purchased through Canprint Communications.