South Australia launches first royal commission into artificial intelligence in Australia

Aug 10, 2026

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has announced Australia's first royal commission into artificial intelligence. The $3 million inquiry, scheduled to run from October 2026 to July 2027, will investigate the opportunities and risks of AI, focusing on its impact on work, education, and public services. The announcement follows Malinauskas's trip to the US, where he met with OpenAI and Anthropic. Experts welcome the probe as a way to establish guardrails and put people first.

South Australia AI royal commission

▪The South Australian royal commission will examine the impacts of artificial intelligence on education, skills, work, public services, and infrastructure.
▪The South Australian royal commission into artificial intelligence is expected to cost approximately $3 million.
▪South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas announced a national-first royal commission to investigate the dangers and benefits of artificial intelligence.

AI societal risks

▪South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas warned that unchecked artificial intelligence represents a material risk to how society operates.
▪South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas stated that artificial intelligence gone bad will make social media look like a walk in the park.
▪University of New South Wales AI Institute chief scientist Toby Walsh warned that artificial intelligence infrastructure, including data centres, has significant environmental impacts on energy and water use.

Future of work concerns

▪University of New South Wales AI Institute chief scientist Toby Walsh stated that the rapid speed of the artificial intelligence transition makes it difficult for workers to adapt compared to previous industrial revolutions.
▪South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas warned that unchecked artificial intelligence poses a risk to the future of work and could rapidly destroy demand in some labor market sectors.

Royal commission timeline

▪The terms of reference for the South Australian artificial intelligence royal commission will be unveiled within four to six weeks of the August 10, 2026 announcement.
▪The South Australian royal commission into artificial intelligence is scheduled to begin in October 2026 and deliver its final report by July 1, 2027.

Malinauskas US AI meetings

▪South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas announced the royal commission after returning from a trip to the United States, where he met with OpenAI, Anthropic, and Apple.
▪During his United States trip, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas signed a memorandum of understanding with OpenAI co-founder and President Greg Brockman.

Commissioner selection process

▪South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas announced an international search to appoint three royal commissioners for the artificial intelligence inquiry.
▪South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas stated he wants commissioners with public policy experience in labor issues, as well as familiarity with technology.