APS AI Tracker

ACIAR

Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research

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Tracked since 12 Nov 2025 · 1 change of substance across 2 captures · last changed 21 Apr 2026

The story so far

How to read this

  1. First captured by the tracker. The statement itself says it was first published Mar 2025.

  2. substantive ACIAR rewrites its statement for policy v2.0, adding privacy, ethics, contact and annual-review sections while dropping its detailed staff AI usage rules and risk discussion.

    read by Claude Opus 5
    • Removed: detailed staff rules — no official information into public AI services, executive approval for commercial tools, bans on AI accessing restricted information or assessing staff performance, and mandatory reporting of misuse
    • Removed: commitment to clearly indicate administrative decisions aided by AI, and the risk-assessment/approval requirement for automated decision-making tools
    • Removed: discussion of bias, false information and privacy risks, plus audits and algorithmic accountability commitments
    • Adds commitment that AI systems make no automated decisions affecting the public, funding recipients or program beneficiaries
    • New annual review cadence, with first version March 2025 and update March 2026
    • Adds contact point (ACIAR contact-us form) for AI enquiries
    • Realigns to DTA policy v2.0, the Standard for AI transparency statements, technical standard, impact assessment tool, procurement guidance and APS AI Plan 2025
    • New privacy and security section (Privacy Act 1988, Essential Eight, PSPF) and ethics section (eight AI Ethics Principles, PGPA Act, APS Code of Conduct)
    • Adds commitment that all AI outputs are reviewed by staff, who remain responsible for final decisions and advice
    • Adopts OECD definition of an AI system
    • Commitment dropped (will not): AI is not used for decision-making purposes at ACIAR
    • Commitment dropped (will not): AI tools must not access restricted information, perform illegal activities, or assess staff performance
    • Commitment dropped (will not): Email accounts cannot be used with public AI services without approval
    • Commitment dropped (will not): Official information must not be entered into public AI services unless already public
    • Commitment dropped (will): AI adopted only after thorough risk assessment and monitored for compliance
    • Commitment dropped (will): Administrative decisions aided by AI will be clearly indicated
    • Commitment dropped (will): Automated decision-making tools need significant risk assessment and approval
    • Commitment dropped (will): Commercial AI tools require executive approval
    • Commitment dropped (will): Commits to continuous monitoring so policies, tools and usage remain current
    • Commitment dropped (will): Misuse or identified risks must be reported immediately
    • Safeguard dropped: acceptable use policy
    • Safeguard dropped: incident or concern reporting
    • New commitment (human oversight): ACIAR staff remain responsible for all final decisions and advice; AI does not replace human judgement
    • New commitment (will not): AI systems do not make automated decisions directly affecting the public, funding recipients or program beneficiaries
    • New commitment (will): Personal information is minimised, anonymised and protected with strong security measures
    • New commitment (will): Statement reviewed annually, or when significant changes to ACIAR's use of AI technologies
    • Safeguard added: privacy or security controls
    • Safeguard added: staff training
    • Staff training: not mentioned → available
    • Public contact added
    • Policy version referenced: unspecified → v2
    • Public-facing AI use: not addressed → none
    • Review cadence: not stated → annual and on change
    • Stated first-published date: — → 2025-03
    • Stated last-updated date: — → 2026-03
    Show the words that changed ↓

What the statement says

How to read this

ACIAR says it primarily uses Microsoft Copilot for workplace productivity — drafting, summarising, transcription and search — in corporate and enabling functions, and states its AI makes no automated decisions affecting the public. It governs this through the DTA's AI assurance framework, impact assessment, privacy and security controls, staff training and human review of all AI outputs. read by Claude Opus 5

What it says AI is used for

  • Workplace productivity
  • Corporate and enabling

Named tools: Microsoft Copilot

Public-facing AI: none

Safeguards named: risk assessment, human review of outputs, audit or assurance, staff training, privacy or security controls

Against the Standard 8/8

  • Intentions behind AI use
  • Use classified by DTA usage pattern or domain
  • Public-facing use addressed
  • Monitoring and protection measures
  • Compliance with the policy
  • Compliance with legislation
  • Date last updated
  • Public contact

What the policy requiresPolicy v2.0

Accountable official
not mentioned
Strategic position on AI
not mentioned
AI use-case register
not mentioned
Staff training
available
Policy version referenced
version 2.0

What the AI Plan asksAI Plan

Chief AI Officer
not mentioned

Currency as of 29 Aug 2026

Review cadence
annually and when the approach changes
Says it was last updated
Mar 2026
Last change we observed
21 Apr 2026
Updated since policy 2.0
yes
Annual review
within a year of its own date

Commitments

  • will notAI systems do not make automated decisions directly affecting the public, funding recipients or program beneficiaries
  • human oversightAI-produced content must be reviewed before publication
  • human oversightACIAR staff remain responsible for all final decisions and advice; AI does not replace human judgement
  • willWill use the DTA's AI assurance framework to review AI's impact
  • willStatement reviewed annually, or when significant changes to ACIAR's use of AI technologies
  • willPersonal information is minimised, anonymised and protected with strong security measures

The statement

How to read this

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Transparency StatementAlso appears in 18 other agenciesAASBAFPAFSAARPCAUASBBOMDFATDSSDVAEDUCATIONFINANCEHSRANAANLAPCPSRSIATEQSA

ACIAR’s commitment to the safe, ethical, responsible and legal use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) supports our mission to achieve more productive and sustainable agricultural systems, for the benefit of developing countries and Australia, through international agricultural research partnerships. ACIAR uses the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) definition of AI, as ‘a machine-based system that, for explicit or implicit objectives, infers, from the input it receives, how to generate outputs such as predictions, content, recommendations, or decisions that can influence physical or virtual environments. Different AI systems vary in their levels of autonomy and adaptiveness after deployment.’

While AI offers numerous opportunities, it also introduces new risks that require careful management. This Statement outlines our approach to AI use within Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), in accordance with the Digital Transformation Agency’s (DTA) Policy for the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in government 2.0, setting a framework for the Australian Government’s safe, responsible, adoption and use of AI. This policy applies to all ACIAR staff, contractors and service providers and also aligns with the Standard for AI transparency statements and Staff guidance on government use of public generative AI tools.

Our Approach to AI Adoption

Currently, ACIAR primarily employs Microsoft Copilot as its enterprise AI tool. It assists staff by drafting and summarising documents, analysing substantial volumes of text-based information, improving search capabilities and knowledge discovery, and supporting various administrative and corporate functions.

ACIAR’s current AI use falls into the following categories:

  • Efficiency Through Automation : Copilot helps streamline repetitive tasks, such as meeting transcriptions, note-taking, and data organisation, increasing efficiency and productivity.
  • Enhanced Productivity : Copilot assists with drafting, document structuring, and content summarisation, creating a more efficient and effective workflow.
  • Collaboration : Copilot supports real-time teamwork, providing insights and suggestions that promote consistency and quality across projects.

We maintain a culture of responsible AI use through regular staff communications and ongoing training. AI systems used by ACIAR do not make automated decisions that directly affect the public, funding recipients or program beneficiaries.

Governance, Risk Management and Assurance

ACIAR uses DTA’s AI assurance framework to review the impact of AI use. In governing the use of AI, ACIAR also adheres to any relevant legislation and regulations governing AI across Commonwealth agencies, such as the DTA's:

ACIAR complies with all applicable laws, including the Privacy Act 1988. Personal information is minimised, anonymised, and protected with strong security measures. Security considerations in relation to the use of AI are consistent with relevant cyber security strategies, including Essential Eight strategies to mitigating cyber security incidents, the updated Protective Security Policy Framework, and relevant polices and legislations of impacted jurisdictions.

All AI-generated outputs are reviewed by ACIAR staff before being used in official documents, communications, or decisions. AI tools are used to support staff productivity and do not replace human judgement.

ACIAR staff remain responsible for all final decisions and advice.

Ethical and Legal Compliance

ACIAR’s AI practices reflect Australia’s eight AI Ethics Principles and adhere to all relevant laws and regulations, including the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and the Australian Public Service Code of Conduct. Our commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability underpins all governance over the use of AI at ACIAR.

For more information on AI use at ACIAR, please contact us.

The first version of this Statement was published in March 2025, followed by an annual update published in March 2026. This Statement will be reviewed annually, or when there are significant changes to ACIAR’s use of AI technologies.

ACIAR Statement on the Responsible Use of AI 367.3 KB - pdf

Statement text © Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, reproduced for transparency tracking (most agency content is CC BY 4.0 — check the original for specifics).

Every revision

Every capture the daily scrape recorded that differed from the last, including edits with no change of substance. Pick a dot to view the statement as it stood at that capture.

  1. substantive+1777

    ACIAR rewrites its statement for policy v2.0, adding privacy, ethics, contact and annual-review sections while dropping its detailed staff AI usage rules and risk discussion.

    read by Claude Opus 5
    View diff
    # Artificial Intelligence (AI) Transparency Statement ## Background Artificial Intelligence (AI) simulates human intelligence processes and can enhance functionality in standalone applications or alongside existing ones. Introduction ACIAR’s commitment to the safe, ethical, responsible and legal use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) supports our mission to achieve more productive and sustainable agricultural systems, for the benefit of developing countries and Australia, through international agricultural research partnerships. ACIAR uses the [Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) definition](https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/explanatory-memorandum-on-the-updated-oecd-definition-of-an-ai-system_623da898-en.html) of AI, as ‘a machine-based system that, for explicit or implicit objectives, infers, from the input it receives, how to generate outputs such as predictions, content, recommendations, or decisions that can influence physical or virtual environments. Different AI systems vary in their levels of autonomy and adaptiveness after deployment.’ ## Background While AI offers numerous opportunities, it also introduces new risks that require careful management. This Statement outlines our approach to AI use within ACIAR, in accordance with the DTA's [pustralian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), in accordance with the Digital Transformation Agency’s (DTA) [Policy for the responsible AIuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in government 2.0](https://www.digital.gov.au/policy/ai/policy). This policy applies to all ACIAR staff, contractors and service providers, noting AI is not used for decision-making purposes at ACIAR. ## Policy AI technologies will be adopted only after a thorough risk assessment and monitored for compliance. Official information must not be entered into public AI services unless already public. Email accounts cannot be used with public AI services without approval. Commercial AI tools require executive approval, and any AI-produced content must be reviewed before publication. Automated decision-making tools need significant risk assessai/ai-in-government-policy/accountability), setting a framework for the Australian Government’s safe, responsible, adoption and use of AI. This policy applies to all ACIAR staff, contractors and service providers and also aligns with the [Standard for AI transparency statements](https://www.digital.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2024-08/Standard%20for%20AI%20transparency%20statements%20v1.1.pdf) and [Staff guidance on government use of public generative AI tools](https://www.digital.gov.au/policy/ai/staff-guidance-public-generative-ai). ## Our Approach to AI Adoption Currently, ACIAR primarily employs Microsoft Copilot as its enterprise AI tool. It assists staff by drafting and summarising documents, and approval. AI tools must not access restricted information, perform illegal activities, or assess staff performance. Misuse or risks identified must be reported immediately. Administrative decisions aided by AI will be clearly indicated. ## AI applicaalysing substantial volumes of text-based information, improving search capabilities and knowledge discovery, and supporting various administrative and corporate functions. Currently, ACIAR primarily employs Microsoft's Copilot as its AI tool. Copilot facilitates staff in various activities by leveraging AI capabilitieACIAR’s current AI use falls into the following ways: - **Automation and Efficiency -** Copilot automatescategories: - **Efficiency Through Automation** : Copilot helps streamline repetitive tasks, such as meeting transcriptions, minunote-taking, email searching and data sorting, thereby enabling staff to concentrate on more complex and value-added aganisation, increasing efficiency and productivitiesy. - **OffiEnhanced Productivity -** : Copilot enhances textual interpretation and geneassists with draftion by understanding and responding in natural language. This includesng, document structuring docum, and contents, summarising written material and assisting with drafting contentation, creating a more efficient and effective workflow. - **Collaboration -** : Copilot aids insupports real-time collaboration by providing suggestions and insights during document creation, ensuring consistency and improving the overall quality of the work produced. By utilising Copilot, ACIAR aims to enhance operational efficiency, improve productivity and support collaborative efforts, while maintaining a high standard of quality and accuracy. ## Monitoring and governance Bias cteamwork, providing insights and suggestions that promote consistency and quality across projects. We maintain a culture of responsible AI use through regular staff communications and ongoing training. AI systems used by ACIAR do not make automated decisions that directly affect the public, funding recipients or program beneficiaries. ## Governance, Risk Management and Assurance ACIAR uses DTA’s [AI assurance framework](https://www.digital.gov.au/policy/ai/pilot-ai-assurance-framework) to review the impact of AI use. In governing the use of AI, ACIAR also adheres to any relevant legislation and regulations governing AI across Commonwealth agencies, such as the DTA's: - [Technical stan darise from data selection or software models, leading to skewed results. AI might produce false information and/or result with privacy risks. It may also provide outdated or inaccurate data and could diminish individual creativity, resulting in homogenised content. Monitoring and governance of AI systems are crucial to mitigate the risks associated with bias, false information and privacy concerns. Establishing robust frameworks that include continuous monitoring, regular audits and compliance with establishedd for government’s use of artificial intelligence](https://www.digital.gov.au/policy/ai/AI-technical-standard) - [AI Impact Assessment Tool](https://www.digital.gov.au/ai/impact-assessment-tool) - [Guidance on AI procurement in government](https://www.buyict.gov.au/public/en/buyers?id=public_content_navigation&topic_id=09f5d0e81b762a50f421db96b04bcb94) - [APS AI Plan 2025](https://www.digital.gov.au/policy/ai/australian-public-service-ai-plan-2025/what-we-plan-achieve) - Other applicable internal policies and governance frameworks. ## Privacy and Security ACIAR complies with all applicable laws, including the Privacy Act 1988. Personal information is minimised, anonymised, and protected with strong security measures. Security considerations in relation to the use of AI are consistent with relevant cyber security strategies, including [Essential Eight](https://www.cyber.gov.au/business-government/asds-cyber-security-frameworks/essential-eight) strategies to mitigating cyber security incidents, the updated [Protective Security Policy Framework](https://www.protectivesecurity.gov.au/), and relevant policies can help ensure the ethical and responsible use of AI. Transparency in data sources, algorithmic accountability and stakeholder involvement are key components of effective governance. By implementing these measures, we can foster trust and integrity in AI applicd legislations of impacted jurisdictions. All AI-generated outputs are reviewed by ACIAR staff before being used in official documents, communications, or decisions. AI tools are used to support staff productivity and do not replace human judgement. ACIAR staff remain responsible for all final decisions and advice. ## Ethical and Legal Compliance ACIAR’s AI practices reflect Australia’s eight AI Ethics Principles and adhere to all relevant laws and regulations, ensurincluding they deliver accurate, reliable and fair outcomes. ACIAR acknowledges the rapid evolution of AI technology and commits to continuous monitoring to ensure that policies, tools and their usage remain current. Internal governance mechanisms will be employed to Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and the Australian Public Service Code of Conduct. Our commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability underpins all governance oversee the use developments. ## Compliance We will use the DTA’s [AI assurance frameworkof AI at ACIAR. ## Contact For more information on AI use at ACIAR, please [contact us](https://www.digitalaciar.gov.au/policy/ai/pilot-ai-assurance-framework) to review the impact of AI on ACIAR’s strategic footprint. ACIAR will also adhere to any relevant legislation and regulations governing AI across Commonwealth agencies, such as the DTA's [policy for responsible AI in government](https://www.digital.gov.au/policy/ai/policy)form/contact-us?__cf_chl_tk=rtzp3EzVzOGvTQJ1zurnQ9WboFZpeMff0A4ij.IwtdI-1773285403-1.0.1.1-ZxD_d3yobBDllExQ2f1MSpNu01dtBlJN6V9z9R.iWrE). ## Review and updates The first version of this Statement was published in March 2025, followed by an annual update published in March 2026. This Statement will be reviewed annually, or when there are significant changes to ACIAR’s use of AI technologies. [ ACIAR Statement on the Responsible Use of AI.pdf 723 367.39 KB - pdf ](https://www.aciar.gov.au/sites/default/files/20256-043/ACIAR%20-Statement%20on%20the%20Responsible%20Use%20of%20-on-the-Responsible-Use-of-AI.pdf) [Accountability](https://www.aciar.gov.au/search?search_api_fulltext=%22Accountability%22) [AI](https://www.aciar.gov.au/search?search_api_fulltext=%22AI%22) \[Artificial Intelligence\](https://www.aciar.gov.au/search?search_api_fulltext="Artificial Intelligence") [Governance](https://www.aciar.gov.au/search?search_api_fulltext=%22Governance%22) [Responsibility](https://www.aciar.gov.au/search?search_api_fulltext=%22Responsibility%22) [Transparency](https://www.aciar.gov.au/search?search_api_fulltext=%22Transparency%22)
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    First tracked revision.

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