Building trust in AI for Australia’s future

The National Artificial Intelligence Agency (NAIC) and CSIRO’s Data61 faced a critical challenge: Australia lacked a framework for organisations to transparently assess and communicate the social, environmental, and economic impacts of their AI usage.

Existing standards focused primarily on internal governance, leaving a gap in understanding AI’s broader impact on public trust and societal welfare. This gap created uncertainty, driving NAIC to seek Portable’s expertise in designing a solution that would not only guide organisations but also foster a trusted environment for AI’s future in Australia.

Portable partnered with NAIC and Data61 to design the AI Impact Navigator, a comprehensive guide built to support the newly introduced Australian Voluntary AI Safety Standard.

This Navigator was envisioned as more than a compliance tool; it’s a strategic framework enabling organisations to assess, manage, and communicate the wider impacts of their AI practices. Portable’s approach integrated human-centred design with strategic foresight, crafting a tool that aligned with the government’s standards while empowering businesses to engage responsibly with AI.

Through collaborative workshops, a Theory of Change framework, and prototype testing with select organisations, Portable developed a tailored roadmap for AI impact. Portable's approach focused on creating a practical and accessible navigation tool to align with the government’s new Australian Voluntary AI Safety Standard - a first of its kind in Australia. The solution provides practical resources and detailed metrics, helping Australian businesses navigate complex societal expectations and build trust through transparent and responsible AI practices.

The outcome was the AI Impact Navigator, a strategic, plain-language guide to the Australian Voluntary AI Safety Standard.

This Navigator goes beyond technical requirements, giving leaders a step-by-step framework to assess and report AI’s impact in social, environmental, and economic terms. It enables organisations to transparently communicate their commitment to responsible AI, building trust with customers, investors, and the broader public. By providing clear guidance on AI’s broader implications, the Navigator positions Australian organisations at the forefront of ethical AI, equipping them with the tools to engage with AI responsibly in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

• Tess Waterhouse, Senior Producer
• Julia Birks, Principal Designer
• Shoni Ellis, Design and Content Strategist
• Alistair Johnston, Visual Communicator
• Matt Pearson, First Person Consulting, Evaluation Expert