Philosopher to Head Australian Government’s AI Safety Institute

Kate Conroy, a philosopher who has held various positions in academia, government, and industry, has been chosen to lead the recently established Australian AI Safety Institute, part of the Australian government’s Department of Industry, Science and Resources. According to the Australian Broadcasting Coroporation, the aim of the Institute is to “monitor, test and share information on emerging AI capabilities, risks and harms.” Dr. Conroy will also continue in her position the lead of responsible AI at the Royal Australian Air Force. Previously, she worked for the Queensland, Australia government on policies for evaluating and managing the risks of AI in government. She is a coauthor of the National Framework for the Assurance of Artificial Intelligence in Government (2024), which “stablishes cornerstones and practices of AI assurance, an essential part of the broader governance of how governments use AI,” among other works on various AI-related topics, such as “moral responsibility…