As AI becomes embedded across public sector operations, how do you balance innovation with accountability? In this episode, hear expert views on the governance of AI in the public sector.  

Key themes include: 

• Why defining AI clearly matters for risk management 

• The need to keep humans in the loop for high-impact decisions 

• Risks of using public generative AI tools with confidential data 

• The importance of closed-loop and contextual AI systems in government 

• How to balance centralised frameworks with agency-specific needs 

• Building a risk-aware culture vs. enforcing tick-box compliance 

• The challenge of maintaining transparency in machine learning 

• Why AI governance should be principles-based, not rules-based 

• The growing concerns around agentic AI and loss of human control 

Whether you're a policy maker, accountant or public service leader, this discussion offers practical insights into designing agile, ethical and effective AI governance in the public sector. 

Host: Ram Subramanian, External Reporting Lead, Policy, Standards and External Affairs, CPA Australia 

Guest: Michael Davern, FCPA Professor of Accounting and Business Information Systems, University of Melbourne. For over 30 years, both in Australia and internationally, he has led industry-engaged research projects in data analytics, business intelligence, financial reporting, risk management, data governance and ethics, among others. 

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