The Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) has submitted to the Australian Senate inquiry into artificial intelligence and data centres, calling for reform to ensure AI delivers maximum public value.

The Australian Government launched a dedicated Office of AI within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet in July this year; however, policy lags behind the rest of the world. The Senate inquiry was established in May 2026 to examine the rapid growth of the AI infrastructure and determine whether current policy is fit for purpose.

The AIA previously submitted to the inquiry, outlining concerns over the environmental and ethical ramifications of data centre growth, including energy, water, embodied carbon, First Nations engagement and community outcomes. This second submission accompanies the first, responding to broader concerns about the impact of the profession, the industry and public interest.

It is the AIA’s view that the built environment sector should be seen as a priority sector, with AI increasingly influencing planning, design and construction decisions that will impact how people interact with the world for decades.

It states: “The built environment is a priority sector because it sits at the intersection of AI-enabled cognitive work and the emerging application of AI, automation and robotics to physical design, construction, operation and maintenance.”

The AIA is calling for reform to AI use to support design quality, sustainability and housing outcomes, safeguarding intellectual property and ensuring AI tools don’t become stand-ins for professional decision-makers. The submission also acknowledges that there needs to be investment in education to improve AI literacy and workforce capability.

“This isn’t a question of whether AI can improve productivity – it clearly can,” says AIA national president David Wagner FRAIA. “It’s about whether it can improve long-term economic, social, cultural and environmental outcomes through good design – capturing opportunity, spreading benefits, and keeping Australians safe.”  

“The Australian Institute of Architects is calling for practical reform that recognises the built environment as a priority sector in national AI policy – so that Australia can realise the enormous benefits of AI for the built environment while protecting public safety, professional accountability, intellectual property, community trust and long-term public value.” 

The submission, along with details of the Institute’s recommendations, is available here.

Image: Evgeniy Surzhan, Unsplash.