Capability 6.5.1

Influence & Norm Shaping

Definition

Capacity to influence – not merely absorb – international rules, standards and governance practices for AI. Encompasses active participation and leadership in multilateral, regional and bilateral forums; contributions to global safety, research and standards initiatives; and the ability to forge strategic partnerships for compute, data and technology access through trade, diplomatic and scientific cooperation.

Examples

AI Safety Institute network collaboration
UN Independent International Scientific Panel on AI
International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
ISO.

Indicators

Number of participants in key global and regional governance fora (e.g. UN, OECD Global Partnership on AI; International Telecommunication Union; AI Safety Institutes Network)
Number of international fora leadership/rapporteur roles
Standards development participation (member type P/O): ISO/IEC JTC1/SC42

National AI Plan

PLAN COMMITMENT

Significant commitment

Articulates an intent to position Australia as an AI leader internationally and a partner of choice (Action 1, Action 9). Commits to partnering on global norms, including through standards engagement and multilateral cooperation (Action 9). Commits to development of Australian Government Strategy for International Engagement and Regional Leadership on Artificial Intelligence (Action 9). Significant commitment by government in the plan aligns with recommendation to leverage and maintain agency. This is one of 8 capabilities over which Australia wields very high agency; national priority should be given to maintaining this agency and leveraging it internationally to offset gaps in other capabilities of low agency.

Stocktake

Founding member of the International Network of AI Safety Institutes; signed the Seoul Declaration May 2024, Bletchley Declaration May 2023'. Department of Industry, Science and Resources. https://www.industry.gov.au/science-technology-and-innovation/technology/artificial-intelligence/ai-safety-science#:~:text=Australia%20is%20a%20founding%20member,building%20on%20the%20Bletchley%20Declaration
Australia joins Hiroshima AI Process Friends Group. Department of Industry, Science and Resources. 3 May 2024. https://www.industry.gov.au/news/australia-joins-hiroshima-ai-process-friends-group
Active Participating Member of ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 42 working groups and committees
Artificial intelligence. https://www.iso.org/committee/6794475.html
OECD AI Policy Observatory / Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) Member (including responsible AI and data-governance working groups). Accessed October 2025. https://oecd.ai/en/about/about-gpai
Long history of particpating in tech related multilateral norms processes, for example at the United Nations and ASEAN. Multilateral Engagement in Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology. https://www.dfat.gov.au/international-relations/themes/cyber-affairs-and-critical-technology/multilateral-engagement

Is the Stocktake missing evidence?

Share additional information for potential future Assessments