Standards Australia hosts global experts in first national AI meeting

From 20-24 October, Standards Australia will welcome more than 180 of the brightest minds in artificial intelligence from across the world. This event marks Australia’s leadership as the global stage for an ISO/IEC meeting where experts are developing standards to this rapidly transforming technology. This work is pivotal in shaping the global AI landscape, ensuring that innovation is both responsible and inclusive.  

The plenary hosts the international standards committee dedicated to the entire AI ecosystem. The upcoming meeting will unite representatives from member countries to advance the development of international standards that foster trustworthy and transparent AI technologies. To date, the committee has published 39 ISO/IEC standards, with an additional 45 standards currently in development.  This plenary provides a global platform for experts to collaborate on the development of technical standards that ensure safe, interoperable and innovative AI systems. By bringing together diverse perspectives from across regions and industries, the forum helps remove barriers to trade, foster consistency in emerging technologies, and build public and institutional trust in AI’s responsible deployment.

Australia’s role in responsible AI leadership

Australia continues to play a vital role in the responsible advancement of AI. Through Standards Australia, the nation is actively contributing to the development of frameworks that promote ethical AI practices, safeguard public trust, and encourage innovation. Hosting this event reflects Australia’s commitment to fostering global relationships and its growing influence in the international AI community.

“We are honoured to be at the centre of this unique opportunity to showcase Australia’s leadership in AI. In this pivotal period of rapid technological advancement, we are committed to advocating for Australia’s interests and be at the forefront of innovation.” said Rod Balding, CEO of Standards Australia.  

‍A global gathering with long-term impact

The plenary meeting is expected to generate outputs that could influence international AI policy for years to come. Discussions will span a wide range of topics, including AI governance, functional safety, data quality, and transparency. These conversations are essential to ensuring that AI technologies are developed and deployed in ways that are safe, fair, and beneficial to society.

This event also highlights the importance of international cooperation in addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by AI. By bringing together experts from across the globe, the plenary session will help align global efforts and promote harmonised standards that support innovation while protecting public interest.

“Our national standards committee has been shaping and influencing international standards on AI since the very beginning of this work. Since 2017, our experts have collaborated with 49 other countries to develop internationally recognised best practices that guide organisations on how to implement AI responsibly, covering everything from data quality, bias, and risk management to testing AI systems and enabling certification. For Australia to host the ISO plenary this year is a testament to the leadership of our national committee and underscores our commitment to ensuring AI is developed responsibly and inclusively, with practical standards that support trust and innovation”. said Aurelie Jacquet, chair of Australia's national AI standards committee.

The outcomes of the plenary session will not only contribute to the international standards landscape but also reinforce Australia’s position as a key player in the global AI conversation.

We extend our appreciation to the following sponsors, whose generous contributions made it possible to host this event in Australia:

• Amazon Web Services
• Microsoft
• BESydney
• UTS Human Technology Institute

For more information about Standards Australia’s work in AI, visit Artificial Intelligence.