Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Australia Lacks AI Early Warning System, Intelligence Chief Warns
Australia’s cyber intelligence chief says the country needs a new system to spot dangerous AI problems early.
She said harmful AI attacks could take advantage of old computer systems.
She also encouraged organizations to use AI to help defend themselves.
Security agencies and AI companies could work together to find risks sooner.
Her comments came after Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei urged the AI industry to slow down.
He also supported having outside experts check whether AI systems follow safety rules.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and xAI’s Elon Musk said they agreed with him.
An Australian minister said companies and powerful countries should not be the only ones deciding AI safety rules.
Abigail Bradshaw said Australia lacks a formal early warning system for AI threats.
Bradshaw warned AI attacks could exploit outdated technology used by governments and businesses.
She urged organizations to use AI defensively and security agencies to work with AI companies.
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei called for slower AI development and independent safety evaluations.
Assistant Minister Andrew Charlton said AI safeguards should not be controlled solely by companies or the United States.
- Who
- Abigail Bradshaw, director-general of the Australian Signals Directorate; Assistant Minister Andrew Charlton; and AI industry leaders including Dario Amodei, Sam Altman, and Elon Musk.
- What
- Australia’s cyber intelligence chief warned that the country lacks a formal early warning system for AI threats and called for stronger cooperation on AI safety.
- When
- Bradshaw and Charlton spoke on Monday; Dario Amodei made his appeal on Saturday.
- Where
- A summit in Canberra, Australia.
- Why
- AI attacks could exploit outdated technology, while governments and security agencies are seeking ways to identify and manage emerging AI risks.
Government-Led AI Oversight
Industry-Led Safety Action
Who should set AI safeguards?
Government-Led AI Oversight
Andrew Charlton said AI guardrails should not be left solely to technology companies or the United States.
Industry-Led Safety Action
Dario Amodei called for the AI industry to slow down and use third-party evaluators to verify models’ safety compliance; Sam Altman and Elon Musk agreed with him.
How should threats be addressed?
Government-Led AI Oversight
Abigail Bradshaw called for a formal early warning system and cooperation between intelligence agencies and AI companies.
Industry-Led Safety Action
The industry response highlighted slower development and independent model evaluations as measures for reducing AI risks.
- Agency
- Australian Signals Directorate
- Agency chief
- Abigail Bradshaw
- Main warning
- Australia lacks a formal AI early warning system.
- Potential vulnerability
- Outdated technology used by governments and businesses.
- Proposed response
- Use AI defensively and coordinate intelligence agencies with AI companies.
- Industry proposal
- Dario Amodei called for slower development and third-party safety evaluations.
- Government position
- Andrew Charlton opposed leaving AI guardrails solely to companies or the United States.