Senator for NSW
Where does Tim Ayres stand on AI safety?
Senator Tim Ayres (Labor) represents New South Wales in the Senate.Minister for Industry and Innovation · since 2025 · also Minister for Science
10 statements, most recently 15 Jul 2026.
What Tim Ayres has said about AI safety
“Australian Standards for AI strengthen Australia’s framework to make sure AI investments are on Australia’s terms and strengthen our resilience, security and economy.”
Tim Ayres · Labor · · Joint media release: AI in Australia's interests (opens in a new tab)
“[In response to criticism of the Productivity Commission's anti-regulation stance and call to roll back existing protections] I feel duty-bound to say you know the productivity commission is but one source of advice for the government. I pay attention to what they have to say... I think we should be pragmatic and lean into the opportunity and build our own capability to respond to problems.”
Tim Ayres · Labor · · Per Capita - Burning Platforms Podcast (opens in a new tab)
“I think it's completely reasonable for Australians to be skeptical... I don't think that means that we should be frightened and curl up in a ball on these questions. I think we should be pragmatic and lean into the opportunity and build our own capability to respond to problems.”
Tim Ayres · Labor · · Per Capita - Burning Platforms Podcast (opens in a new tab)
“The only thing that would be more disruptive in terms of employment and job opportunities is stepping back, having economies that pass us by.”
“Other countries in the region are moving fast – and so must we.”
Tim Ayres · Labor · · Keynote to the AFR AI Summit (opens in a new tab)
“But I hope that this brief contribution gives you some clarity about my instinctive response on tech and AI adoption – to lean in, to anchor investment and capability here, and to shape a social democratic national interest approach that includes all Australians in our shared digital future.”
Tim Ayres · Labor · · Keynote to the AFR AI Summit (opens in a new tab)
“I will be looking in particular at how we can strengthen worker voice and agency as technology is diffused into every workplace in the Australian economy and I look forward to working with our trade union movement on all of this.”
Tim Ayres · Labor · · Keynote to the AFR AI Summit (opens in a new tab)
“Australia has to lean in, to secure a stake in global digital and AI development – to shape the digital future rather than have a future shaped for us.”
Tim Ayres · Labor · · Keynote to the AFR AI Summit (opens in a new tab)
“The Australian challenge is to lean in to adopt AI to lift productivity and living standards, deliver investment in infrastructure and capability and protect our security.”
Tim Ayres · Labor · · Keynote to the AFR AI Summit (opens in a new tab)
“There are of course questions of regulation, norms, standards and how best to manage risks and harms, which need to be worked through here in Australia and with the sector and our friends and partners overseas. Increasing skills and education of Australians, and confidence in AI adoption is key.”
Tim Ayres · Labor · · Department of Industry, Science and Resources (opens in a new tab)
Contact Tim Ayres about AI safety
Politicians pay most attention to letters from their own constituents, especially personal ones. As a voter, you're one of the people Tim Ayres answers to. If a statement above caught your eye, start with that. The tool below asks a few questions and turns your answers into a letter.
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