Photo by DC Studio/magnific
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas announced the launch of the commission on August 10. It is scheduled to begin its work in October 2026 and submit its final report to the government no later than July 1, 2027. The cost of the commission’s work is estimated at approximately 3 million Australian dollars, according to The Advertiser.
The commission will consist of three experts
The government plans to appoint three commissioners with diverse professional backgrounds. Among the required areas of expertise, the premier cited cutting-edge AI technologies, labor and employment issues, as well as economics and business.
Malinauskas explained the need for such a composition by noting that a single person would be unlikely to simultaneously address the technological, economic, and social aspects of AI development. “We need a royal commissioner who understands AI and cutting-edge models and where they have progressed,” the Australian publication quotes the premier as saying.
The commission is tasked with preparing recommendations that will help shape South Australia’s policy on artificial intelligence and strengthen the state’s position in this field.
The focus is on the economy, education, and healthcare
The government intends to examine the impact of AI on education, healthcare, industry, and the creative sectors. At the same time, the commission is tasked with evaluating existing approaches to regulating the technology and its potential for economic growth.
Malinauskas stated that the main goal is not to reject the implementation of AI, but to ensure that it is used in the public interest.
“We want to take advantage of the opportunities offered by AI, but not in a way that we will later regret,” the prime minister said.
According to him, special attention will need to be paid to the future of the labor market and to preparing young professionals for the changes that the spread of AI will bring.
The commission should also examine the use of artificial intelligence in schools, industry, the public sector, healthcare, art, and culture.
Australia Is Establishing a New Level of AI Regulation
South Australia’s decision shows that the discussion on artificial intelligence is increasingly moving beyond the scope of technology policy and becoming part of long-term government planning.
The state has already created the position of Minister for AI and established the Office for Artificial Intelligence. In addition, the government is developing its own approach to the technology’s development and recently signed an agreement with OpenAI.
At the same time, the establishment of the royal commission has sparked debate over the need for a new investigation. The opposition has pointed out that a parliamentary inquiry on AI has already produced 15 recommendations, including the need to coordinate state policy with the federal level.
For South Australia, the issue is not just about regulating risks. Authorities are seeking to simultaneously attract investment, use AI to boost productivity, and ensure workers are prepared for changes in the labor market.
Thus, the new commission must determine how to reconcile technological development with government regulations and the protection of the public interest.
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