Key Takeaways
- The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance fire safety and monitoring, with AI-powered cameras and detection systems being implemented.
- AI is being used in various areas of everyday life, including healthcare, education, and road monitoring, with the goal of improving efficiency and decision-making.
- Experts emphasize the importance of human oversight and monitoring in AI implementation, as well as addressing concerns and questions regarding its use.
- AI is being incorporated into the ACT healthcare system to aid in disease detection, administration, and patient care, with significant potential for transformative changes.
- The ACT education system is exploring the use of AI tools for teachers and students, with the goal of enhancing teaching and learning experiences.
Introduction to AI in Fire Safety
As another fire season kicks off, the ACT has introduced a new tool to fight the threat: artificial intelligence (AI). According to Andrew Beer, a fire tower operator at the ACT Emergency Services Agency headquarters, "AI works 24-7, so it’s always there, it’s never asleep and it’s the first port of call to identify fire incidents." The AI-powered cameras and detection systems are being used in conjunction with fire towers to monitor for fires in the ACT. As Rohan Scott, the chief officer of the ACT Rural Fire Service (RFS), notes, "The introduction of AI … is seeing significant improvements in the way we detect fire, but also how we then use that AI technology for intelligence gathering and real-time monitoring of a situation."
AI in Everyday Life
Bettina Konti, the interim director general of Digital Canberra, emphasizes that AI is being incorporated into various areas of everyday life, including "garden variety" uses such as ChatGPT or Google large language models. She notes that "AI is here. It will continue to grow and evolve, despite us and without us," and that it’s essential to understand and work with AI to gain its benefits. Konti also acknowledges that human oversight is crucial, stating that "it’s really, really important" and that "we can’t just implement an AI-enabled solution and just let it rip."
AI in Healthcare
AI is being used in the ACT healthcare system to aid in disease detection, administration, and patient care. Purnima Bhat, a public/private gastroenterologist, notes that "AI has just revolutionised what we’re doing now for patient care in many ways … and it’s improving day by day." AI-assisted detection equipment is being used to increase competence in colonoscopies, and Dr. Bhat predicts that future AI technology will be able to determine the type of polyp and its risk of turning into something nasty. However, she also acknowledges concerns and questions regarding the use of AI in healthcare, including the potential for a generation of colonoscopists who don’t know how to find polyps on their own.
AI in Education
AI is also influencing the ACT school system, with students and teachers using AI tools to enhance teaching and learning experiences. Ed Cuthbertson, the principal of Amaroo School, notes that AI is "an absolute game-changer" for teachers, allowing them to tailor lessons and instructions to a diverse range of students. The ACT Education Directorate has confirmed that AI has recently been approved for use by teachers across the public school system, with careful consideration given to security, privacy, and ethical application. However, concerns have been raised about the potential for AI to replace thinking and creativity in students, with Cuthbertson emphasizing the importance of stimulating kids to make connections and think critically.
Conclusion
The use of AI in the ACT is a rapidly evolving field, with significant potential for transformative changes in various areas of everyday life. As experts emphasize the importance of human oversight and monitoring, it’s clear that AI is not a replacement for human decision-making and critical thinking. Rather, it’s a tool that can enhance efficiency, decision-making, and patient care, while also raising important questions and concerns about its use and implementation. As Konti notes, "we don’t know everything and we’re not always going to get it right," but by understanding and working with AI, we can gain its benefits and create a better future for the Canberra community.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-04/how-act-government-is-using-ai-across-services/106137618