Australia is to explore a ban on smart glasses across Commonwealth workplaces as part of new standards intended to guide the safe use of artificial intelligence in the workplace.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to announce the measures on Friday, ahead of his trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, where he plans to discuss Australia’s approach to AI with other world leaders.
The proposed restrictions follow growing security concerns about the non-consensual recording capabilities of smart glasses. The devices have become more accessible and gained prominence after Kylie Jenner promoted Meta’s latest model.
It is understood that Senator Katy Gallagher, who has responsibility for the Australian public service, will consider exemptions for people who rely on smart glasses for legitimate reasons, including visual impairment.
AI workplace standards to be developed
The Office of AI, established within the prime minister’s department, will open consultations on workplace standards first announced by Mr Albanese in a speech at the University of Sydney in July.
Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth will also lead a series of roundtables with business leaders and unions. Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Microsoft, AGL, Telstra, Kmart, Blackmores Group and Ramsay Health Care are among the organisations expected to take part.
The government intends to examine how companies are already using AI to improve Australia’s productivity, while considering safeguards for workers as the technology becomes more widely adopted.
Mr Albanese has said Australia should attract AI models and data centre development, but on conditions set by the country. Those conditions include strict energy requirements requiring facilities to bring their own renewable power, as well as compliance with copyright rules intended to protect Australian creators.
Speaking in Parliament, Mr Albanese said AI could bring significant benefits in healthcare, education and productivity, but warned that its risks would need to be addressed.
“We think that there is enormous benefit to come from artificial intelligence in areas such as healthcare, health provision, doing analysis to make a difference, benefits in education, potentially benefits as well in productivity. But that doesn’t mean that there are not risks which need to be mitigated,” he said.
“Next week at the United Nations, I expect that this will be a major topic of conversation. I’ll engage constructively.”
“We’ve said very clearly that we must shape AI, or it will shape us.”
The prime minister said he also intended to discuss sovereign capability, including Australia’s ability to provide for its defence and security, during his meetings in New York.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers is expected to provide an early indication on Friday of how AI is already affecting Australian workplaces, ahead of the full release of the 2026 intergenerational report on Monday.
