Community Assembly - AI & Data Centres

Artificial intelligence and data centres are reshaping how we live, work, and use energy. Right now, the Federal Government is asking for input to influence how this important technology shapes our future.

The Senate Environment and Communications Committee has launched an inquiry into AI and data centres, examining:

• The effectiveness of existing regulatory frameworks in managing the growth of data centres in Australia (including in relation to existing and future deals between the Government and global Artificial Intelligence (AI) companies)

• The potential impacts on Australian communities, industries, the environment, water, and energy

This is a real opportunity for community voices to reach the people making decisions about our collective future. The problem is that formal consultation processes can feel inaccessible; full of technical jargon, unclear on process, and easy to scroll past. That's exactly why we're running this community assembly.*

*A community assembly is democratic forum for a group of people to come together to learn more about certain issues, share perspectives, deliberate what action(s) should or shouldn't be taken, and collaboratively generate actionable solutions.

Rather than feeling overwhelmed or just venting into the void, come and do something about it. This is a free, volunteer-run, in-person session designed to give you:

• Context — a plain-English overview of the inquiry and what's at stake for our communities, environment, and economy


• Space — a safe, welcoming environment for open discussion, whatever your background or level of expertise


• Support — practical guidance to help you formulate and submit your own perspective directly to the inquiry.
No technical expertise required. Just curiosity and a willingness to have your say.

We believe that diverse perspectives lead to richer outcomes, and on something as consequential as AI and data centres, we need as many of them as possible! Come and help shape a future we can all look forward to.