Artificial intelligence (AI) transparency statement

This page outlines how we use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in accordance with the Digital Transformation Agency’s (DTA) Policy for the responsible use of AI in government. Our approach is guided by the principles and standards set by the DTA to ensure the safe, ethical and responsible application of AI technology throughout the organisation.

In line with the DTA’s Policy for the responsible use of AI in government, we have appointed accountable officials to oversee the implementation of AI-related policies and publishes this transparency statement to outline our approach to AI adoption and use.

Why we use AI

Our adoption of AI will improve the quality of our work, as well as our efficiency and productivity.

Our commitment to digital innovation aligns with the Australian Government’s Data and Digital Government Strategy regarding the adoption of emerging technologies.

How we use AI

Microsoft 365 Copilot has been implemented as a generative AI service to boost staff productivity and support our work. Copilot Chat is available, and the rollout of the Microsoft 365 Copilot licensed version has been deployed to all employees. Before gaining access to Copilot, all staff must complete AI fundamentals training, which covers responsible and acceptable use of AI. Additionally, employees are required to formally acknowledge their commitment to using AI safely, responsibly and ethically before accessing generative AI tools.

The use of AI tools, including Microsoft 365 Copilot and Copilot Chat, is limited to specific, approved use cases. As we operate within the network environment of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (Health), the current use cases are documented in Health’s use case register. We are in the process of developing our own standalone use case register. 

Both generative and narrow AI models are used in accordance with the DTA’s classification systems for AI use.

What we use AI for

AI assists with analysing public health data, identifying emerging risks and trends, and strengthening disease surveillance, reporting and research activities that inform timely and effective public health action.

AI also enables CDC services by automating routine tasks and supporting staff productivity, allowing experts to focus on higher‑value work such as public health research, analysis and advisory functions. AI tools may assist in summarising, analysing and synthesising information used to support advice and recommendations for government, committees, decision‑makers and the public. Consistent with our commitment to transparency, scientific rigour and accountability, AI does not make decisions on our behalf or finalise any advice or information that we publish or rely upon in our work. All advice, assessments and recommendations remain subject to human judgement and oversight by accountable officials.

We are committed to the safe, responsible and ethical use of AI, aligned with whole‑of‑government policy and our legislative mandate. We actively manage risks and seek opportunities to use AI to strengthen national disease surveillance, preparedness and response, support early action on health threats, and improve the health, wellbeing and safety of all Australians.

Where we use AI

We use AI to assist in the following domains:

• public health Intelligence and surveillance 
• research and data analysis
• corporate and enabling.

Our approach with AI

We are currently establishing an internal AI committee, tasked with overseeing and making key decisions about the future use of AI within the organisation. In addition, we actively engage with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s Artificial Intelligence Subcommittee (AISc) to ensure our interests are advocated and remain aligned with broader sector developments. The AISc addresses:

• the application of AI within the Health portfolio’s policy and program context
• the use and regulation of AI in the health, disability and aged care sectors
• the use of AI within the department
• the whole-of-government approach to AI and the intersection with health, disability and aged care sectors

We currently operate within the Health AI assurance framework and are members of Health’s AI subcommittee. We are in the process of developing our own AI assurance framework. We will also keep an internal register of AI use cases, in line with the whole-of-government approach. This register will help us monitor and manage AI usage appropriately.

Currently, we have limited utilisation of AI and are committed to establishing and maintaining an AI use case register which will include a risk register to ensure there is transparency in decision making and staff can use this information to mitigate risks when undertaking an approved use case. These registers systematically capture information on AI solutions that are under development, approved by committee, or already deployed within the agency. Each use case is assigned an executive sponsor and a business owner, ensuring robust governance and accountability for the safe and responsible use of AI. Chief AI Officer and business owners are required to undertake comprehensive risk assessments, continuously monitor the effectiveness of risk mitigation activities, evaluate ongoing outcomes and implement appropriate measures to minimise possible harms.

We have measures in place to:

• ensure AI is well governed and managed. Staff cannot use sensitive or personal information without approval through our assurance and governance processes
• make AI use across the agency visible, so we can govern it effectively and manage risks, assurance and reporting
• encourage staff to use AI safely, responsibly, ethically and lawfully through corporate communications and training
• support collaboration across the department and with other government agencies on AI use, including developing shared resources to ensure safe, responsible, ethical and lawful use.

Our commitment

We are unwavering in our commitment to the safe, ethical, responsible and lawful use of AI to deliver meaningful benefits for all Australians. Through strong collaboration with the DTA, we ensure that our approach to AI aligns with all relevant:

• legislation
• frameworks
• policies
• best practice standards.

We maintain our commitment to transparency and protecting the public. As we integrate new AI technologies and respond to changing policy requirements, we will provide clear and open updates regarding our progress and decisions.

Safe and responsible AI adoption

We are developing internal AI policy and guidance material aligned to DTA requirements to ensure the safe, responsible and ethical use of AI across our surveillance, research, operational response, advisory and enabling services.

We will leverage whole-of-government policies and develop internal policies and guidance materials when necessary for:

• AI and Data Governance
• acceptable use of AI in the agency
• ethical considerations
• Freedom of Information (FOI) considerations
• recordkeeping
• security
• procurement of AI systems
• risk mitigation and technical guardrails
• roles and responsibilities when using AI and required training for identified roles.

These internal policies will apply to all employees (including contractors) and consultants.

We will update this transparency statement as we continue to develop policies on AI usage and implement AI technology. We will continuously review our use of AI to:

• protect the public against negative impacts
• reflect the pace of technological change
• manage the evolving risk environment
• align with whole-of-government guidance

Accountable Official 

The Australia Centre for Disease Control Chief Operating Officer and Chief Data & Analytics Officer are our AI Accountable Officials. They are responsible for ensuring the safe implementation and use of AI across our systems and data sets.

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