Week of 23 March 2026
NIST CAISI has signed a CRADA with OpenMined to research privacy-preserving methods for AI evaluations.
Key points
- The collaboration aims to enable rigorous AI measurement when data, models, or benchmarks must remain confidential.
- Outputs will inform voluntary standards and best practices for AI evaluation - relevant when Australian AISI considers evaluation frameworks.
ACCC's 2025 Targeting Scams Report records $2.18 billion in Australian scam losses, up 7.8 per cent on 2024.
Key points
- AI and industrialised criminal syndicates are cited as drivers of increasing scam sophistication, per ACCC Deputy Chair.
- AI is mentioned briefly as a threat amplifier; the report's primary focus is scam typology and disruption activity, not AI governance.
Week of 16 March 2026
NIST CAISI and GSA have formalised an MOU to embed AI evaluation science into the USAi federal procurement platform.
Key points
- The partnership will produce pre-deployment assessment methodologies and post-deployment performance tools for US federal agencies.
- Australian agencies developing whole-of-government AI procurement frameworks may find the USAi model instructive as a comparable peer approach.
KJR and Delos Delta reflect on AI governance gaps in Australian local government as of 2025.
Key points
- Article advocates early, iterative AI governance frameworks rather than waiting for full system maturity.
- This is vendor-authored thought leadership with a commercial call-to-action - not independent research or policy guidance.
Week of 9 March 2026
DTA has released Guidance for AI Proof-of-Concept to Scale, outlining eight principles for responsible AI scaling in government.
Key points
- The guidance builds on the Policy for the Responsible Use of AI and the Technical Standard for Government's Use of AI.
- Practical tools including an evaluation guide and AI readiness checklist accompany the principles to support agencies at each lifecycle stage.
Good Ancestors' March 2026 newsletter covers six major AI governance developments across Australian and international contexts.
Key points
- OAIC review finds no federal agency with ADM authorisation is fully transparent about automated decision-making use.
- Additional threads include the Anthropic–Pentagon dispute, the 2026 International AI Safety Report, and Australia's data centre scrutiny.
KJR outlines AI model drift as a post-deployment risk requiring continuous assurance, not just one-time validation.
Key points
- Government is explicitly listed as a sector where drift in policy-driven eligibility models creates transparency and bias risks.
- Item is primarily vendor marketing for KJR's AI assurance consulting services - practical substance is general, not novel.
The February 2026 DDMM agreed that emerging technologies including AI will become a standing agenda item for future meetings.
Key points
- The meeting launched an updated Digital ID and Verifiable Credentials Strategy setting nationally consistent identity standards across jurisdictions.
- AI governance is referenced but not the primary focus - digital identity, data sharing, and cyber security dominate the outcomes.
Department of Finance announces the 2026 Australian Government Data Forum, scheduled for 19 March 2026.
Key points
- Forum theme centres on data as a public asset - covers data sharing, privacy, and ethical use across government.
- Limited direct AI content signalled; this is a data governance event announcement with low AI-specific signal.
Week of 2 March 2026
Finance has released an exposure draft of the Digital ID Amendment (Redress Framework) Rules 2026 for public consultation.
Key points
- Proposed changes strengthen redress obligations for digital ID fraud and cyber security incidents within AGDIS.
- This is a digital identity governance item with no substantive AI content - low signal for APS AI practitioners.
Week of 23 February 2026
DTA has signed a new five-year Volume Sourcing Agreement with Microsoft, commencing 1 July 2026.
Key points
- The agreement explicitly accelerates APS capability to adopt AI and other emerging technologies across government.
- Enhanced legal provisions cover governance, security, liability, and handling of government data under the new framework.
Week of 16 February 2026
NIST's CAISI is hosting virtual workshops in May 2026 on AI adoption barriers in healthcare, finance, and education.
Key points
- Findings will inform CAISI's AI adoption guidance under the US AI Action Plan - outputs may have broader international relevance.
- Limited direct relevance to Australian federal agencies; sector focus is US-specific, though emerging findings are worth monitoring.
Australia ranked 2nd of 42 countries in the OECD 2025 Digital Government Index with a score of 88%.
Key points
- The AI Plan for the APS and the Policy for Responsible Use of AI are cited as contributors to the 'Proactiveness' dimension score.
- AI governance is one thread in a broader digital government result; the item is primarily a DTA achievement announcement.
DTA published governance board guidance developed with University of Queensland, covering nine principles for effective digital project boards.
Key points
- Guidance focuses on board composition, decision-making authority, and adapting governance across a project's lifecycle.
- AI is not mentioned; this is digital project governance guidance with no direct AI or algorithmic systems focus.
Week of 9 February 2026
A ten-country network including Australia published consensus practices for automated AI evaluation and measurement.
Key points
- Australia is a founding member of this NIST-led international body, giving APS bodies direct insight into emerging global evaluation norms.
- Preliminary consensus draws on CAISI's draft Best Practices for Automated Benchmark Evaluations, currently open for public comment.
Week of 12 January 2026
NIST's CAISI has issued an RFI on securing AI agent systems, with submissions closing 9 March 2026.
Key points
- The RFI targets risks unique to agentic AI: prompt injection, data poisoning, misaligned objectives, and specification gaming.
- Outputs will inform voluntary US guidelines - a likely reference point for Australian agentic AI governance work.
Week of 5 January 2026
DTA's updated Policy for the responsible use of AI in government came into effect 15 December 2025 for all non-corporate Commonwealth entities.
Key points
- New mandatory requirements include internal AI use-case registers, accountable owners, AI impact assessments, and foundational AI training for all APS staff.
- First mandatory requirement begins 15 June 2026; all remaining requirements take effect December 2026, giving agencies a staged implementation window.
Good Ancestors' January 2026 newsletter covers Australia's AISI hiring, Grok deepfake crisis, Productivity Commission AI regulation findings, and global safety warnings.
Key points
- Multiple items directly affect APS work: MYEFO reveals $166M GovAI Chat, AISI founding team roles, ACCC agentic AI warnings, and automated welfare liability.
- Roundup format means each item warrants separate engagement at source; this is a curated signal, not a single-issue analysis.
Week of 15 December 2025
The APS AI Plan requires all agencies to appoint a Chief AI Officer (CAIO) from existing senior leadership by July 2026.
Key points
- CAIOs are distinct from AI Accountable Officials - they lead AI transformation and cultural change, not just governance.
- A new AI Delivery and Enablement (AIDE) function will coordinate CAIOs across the APS to drive safe AI adoption.
Finance Secretary announces AIDE - a new whole-of-APS function to drive coordinated, scalable AI adoption across government.
Key points
- GovAI platform provides APS-only secure AI collaboration and training, with GovAI Chat generative AI capability planned for 2026.
- The announcement signals a formal shift from agency-level pilots to system-wide, Finance-led AI uplift and enablement.
Australia ranked 5th globally in the World Bank's 2025 GovTech Maturity Index with a score of 98.5%.
Key points
- AI governance is cited as a contributing factor - the APS AI Plan and AI policy are listed among enabling initiatives.
- This is primarily a digital transformation milestone; AI is one thread among several, not the central subject.
Department of Finance sponsored GovHack 2025, setting challenges around government services and regulatory simplification.
Key points
- Winning teams developed AI-powered platforms to improve service navigation and small business compliance.
- Winners are invited to showcase at AI CoLab next year - limited direct governance or policy signal for APS practitioners.
NIST CAISI is hiring an AI Research Scientist focused on evaluation methods and trustworthy AI measurement.
Key points
- The role signals continued US investment in rigorous AI evaluation infrastructure relevant to international standards work.
- Job postings carry low signal for APS readers; included for context on CAISI's capability build-out only.
Week of 8 December 2025
Good Ancestors' December 2025 newsletter covers Australia's National AI Plan, AISI announcement, and multiple international developments.
Key points
- The Australian AISI ($30m, early 2026 start) and National AI Plan are the headline items, with APS AI Plan also featured.
- Newsletter spans AI espionage, model releases, deepfake legislation, CSIRO restructure, and EU AI Act delays across 15+ distinct items.
DTA's new whole-of-government Cloud Policy takes effect 1 July 2026 for non-corporate Commonwealth entities.
Key points
- Policy explicitly positions cloud infrastructure as the foundation for AI adoption across the APS.
- Five core requirements cover cloud prioritisation, security, cost transparency, interoperability, and workforce skills.