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Monday | September 21, 2026 | Dhaka

Australia seeks tech help as Trump unveils AI Force

 Al Jazeera
 Published: 12:56 AM, 21 September 2026

Governments in Australia and the United States are taking sharply different approaches to the rapidly expanding artificial intelligence sector, with Canberra seeking greater cooperation from technology companies while President Donald Trump plans an “AI Force” and a new AI czar.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met Apple Executive Chairman Tim Cook at the company’s headquarters in Cupertino, California, on Saturday as Canberra sought industry support for stronger online safety measures and new AI standards.

Albanese said Australia could not protect children from online harm alone and called for technology companies to play a greater role in making digital platforms safer.

The Australian government plans to introduce new AI standards by the end of 2026 as part of a broader effort to ensure technology remains subject to safeguards.

Albanese said the government wanted technology to work for Australians rather than Australians having to adapt to technology.

Cook said Apple had shared new tools designed to help parents manage the content children can access, who they can communicate with and when they can use apps, according to the Australian government.

Australia is also preparing legislation that would impose a legal “duty of care” on companies operating major social media platforms, including Facebook, TikTok and Instagram. The proposed laws would also give users greater control over algorithms.

The draft legislation is expected to go before Parliament later this year following consultations with technology companies, industry groups and civil society organisations.

Australia introduced a ban on social media use by children under 16 in 2025, but data released in August showed that some under-16s were continuing to use platforms including Instagram and TikTok.

Across the Pacific, Trump announced on Saturday that he would establish an “AI Force” and appoint a new AI czar to oversee the development of the US artificial intelligence industry.

Trump provided few details about the proposed body or the timing of the appointment. He said the administration would not “hinder or stifle” AI growth, while using existing criminal and civil justice systems to address wrongdoing.

Trump compared the proposed AI Force with the Space Force, which was created during his first term.

The AI czar position was previously held by venture capitalist David Sacks, who stepped down and later became an external adviser.

The announcement came amid growing debate over the risks of rapidly developing AI systems.

Several major technology leaders have recently called for greater caution, while Trump has rejected calls to slow the sector, arguing that AI is crucial to US economic growth and competition with China.

The contrasting moves underline a growing global debate over how governments should balance AI development, innovation and safety.

Australia is preparing stronger standards and seeking cooperation from technology companies, while the Trump administration is emphasising continued growth alongside oversight of harmful activity.

The issue is also expected to feature prominently in Trump’s upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington, as the United States and China compete for technological leadership in artificial intelligence.