As adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) grows across the Australian Public Service (APS), it's crucial to ensure staff are equipped with the necessary skills to safely engage with AI capabilities. To support this goal, the DTA has released guidance on staff training and an AI in government fundamentals training module.
Guidance on staff training
The Policy for the responsible use of AI in government strongly recommends agencies implement AI training for all staff within 6 months of the policy taking effect.
The guidance on staff training outlines on how to implement AI training for all staff and provides an overview of the AI in government fundamentals module.
Agencies should also consider developing additional specialist training for staff in consideration of their roles and responsibilities such as those responsible for the procurement, development, training, and deployment of AI systems.
AI in government fundamentals training module
To help agencies implement these recommendations, the DTA has developed an AI in government fundamentals training module for agency use. This training offers a clear, consistent understanding of how AI works and what to consider when making responsible choices.
The training has been designed to provide all staff, regardless of their experience, with foundational knowledge of AI, the principles of safe and responsible use, and how to put these to work in the APS.
Along with a basic understanding of AI and how to use it responsibly, the course equips staff to be:
- informed on the applications and risks of AI
- capable of applying relevant advice
- confident about when it's suitable to use generative AI
- empowered to apply their own judgement with AI.
The training leverages existing resources and frameworks that APS staff need to apply, including their own agency's policies, the APS Values and APS Code of Conduct, Australia's AI Ethics Principles and the interim guidance on government use of public generative AI tools.
Agencies can access the training for download through the APS Learning Bank and are encouraged to customise it as needed. Alternatively, agencies may choose to have staff access the module, as developed, through APS Learn. Completion rates should be monitored and reported to the DTA by agencies' accountable officials upon request.
We are working to make the module available for non-APS use on digital.gov.au. Further updates on those resources will be provided soon.
Implementing training for staff
Agencies can use the training module as developed, or they can choose to modify it or incorporate it into an existing training program. This approach gives agencies flexibility to address their specific context and requirements.
The training will be updated periodically to address changes in the AI landscape, such as evolutions in the technology and its use in government. Agencies that have downloaded the module through Learning Bank will be notified of new versions as they become available.
Building APS capabilities
The training doesn't cover advanced topics like model training or system development. Agencies are strongly encouraged to consider additional training for staff in consideration of their roles and responsibilities.
Policy for the responsible use of AI in government
These training resources seek to round out the Policy for the responsible use of AI in government. The policy aims to establish the Australian Government as a leader in the safe, ethical, and responsible use of AI.
To meet policy requirements, agencies must also:
- nominate accountable official(s), by 30 November 2024 (within 90 days of the policy taking effect)
- publish transparency statements, by 28 February 2025 (within 6 months of the policy taking effect).
