In February, CommBank became the first Australian bank to publish a detailed report on its AI implementation, governance framework and practical applications.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen businesses commit to responsible AI, the benefits extend well beyond their own operations,\u201d says CommBank\u2019s Ranil Boteju.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n \u201cApart from giving customers an insight into our AI governance and management framework, the report is also helpful to other Australian businesses wanting to implement AI responsibly,\u201d says Ranil Boteju, chief AI officer at CommBank.<\/p>\n As agentic AI emerges, the black\u2011box problem intensifies, increasing the importance of explainability and oversight.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re investing in technologies that give us better visibility into how AI systems make decisions,\u201d says Telstra Data & AI Strategy and Architecture executive Lisa Green. \u201cWhen working at scale, good governance relies on the right tools, as well as human oversight. We\u2019re working closely with our SaaS partners to make sure a similar level of transparency is built into their solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n Customers also want clarity on how their data is used, shared and whether it trains AI models. Steps that lift confidence include options for human intervention, strong monitoring and employee training.<\/p>\n \u201cExisting regulatory approaches are beginning to address automated decision making,\u201d Green says. \u201cLooking ahead, as people become more familiar with AI, we\u2019re likely to see growing expectations for transparency and the ability to better understand and interact with AI-supported decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n Responsible AI also reaches into human rights, bias and discrimination. Telstra advocates through forums such as the UNESCO Business Council for ethical AI, while CommBank points to Australia\u2019s AI Ethics Principles<\/a> (2019) as a north star and uses them across the AI lifecycle \u2013 from design to deployment and monitoring.<\/p>\n Turning governance into practice requires clear structures.<\/p>\n Telstra\u2019s Lisa Green says the organisation is investing in technologies that give them better visibility into how AI systems make decisions.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n KPMG\u2019s framework<\/a> is values\u2011driven, human\u2011centric and trustworthy, informing build\u2011buy\u2011use decisions. Daffy says the firm has mobilised a Trusted AI Council<\/a> with senior leaders and an external member, implemented an AI management system, and become the first professional-services firm globally \u2013 and first Australian company \u2013 to achieve ISO 42001 certification <\/a>for responsible governance of its AI management system.<\/p>\n Telstra operates a structured risk-delegation framework. Every use case has a named owner and all new models or significant changes go to the AI Risk and Oversight Committee, with escalations to the Data and AI Council and senior executives for higher\u2011risk or strategic initiatives.<\/p>\n CommBank\u2019s AI systems are guided by the Group AI Policy and Code of Conduct.<\/p>\n \u201cThese policies support our approach to safeguarding personal information, meeting our regulatory obligations, protecting against cyber risk, and keeping our customers and systems safe, stable and resilient,\u201d Boteju explains.<\/p>\n Third parties are managed through robust onboarding while sustainability also is part of responsible AI for the Bank.<\/p>\n<\/picture>
Accountability in practice<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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