Anthony Albanese has arrived in California ahead of talks with tech giant Apple and an online safety push at the United Nations.
The prime minister landed in San Jose on Saturday morning AEST, for the first part of a week-long visit to the United States and was greeted by Australian ambassador to the US Greg Moriarty
Mr Albanese said Australia had been a world leader in online protections and was aiming to share the approach with others.
“Other nations are reaching out, looking at the work that Australia has done,” he told reporters upon arrival.
“Australia has no greater friend than the US and tomorrow … will be an important day looking at new technology and how we make sure we protect children in particular.”
The prime minister is set to meet with former Apple chief executive Tim Cook at the tech giant’s California headquarters on Sunday morning, Australian time.
The tech executive issued an open invitation to the prime minister to visit Apple following a conversation between the pair in June on Australia’s world-first social media ban for under 16s.
Apple has said its parental control measures were in part inspired by Australia’s ban.
Mr Albanese will also see demonstrations of how the measures are put in place on Apple devices.
Digital safety will also form part of the prime minister’s agenda when he later visits the United Nation’s in New York for the forum’s high-level week.
Efforts to force tech companies to remove harmful content online through a digital duty of care will be highlighted on the world stage, as will efforts giving social media users to opt out of algorithmic feeds.
National standards for AI companies, requiring them to be powered by renewable energy and data centres having an obligation to underwrite new power supply, is also expected to feature prominently in Australian addresses.
Mr Albanese said countries around the world were grappling with AI technology as it rapidly expands.
“We need to make sure we shape its use in the interests of humanity, rather than allow it to shape us,” he said.
“This is something that goes beyond national boundaries and that’s why it requires discussion at the multilateral level.”
The week-long visit to the UN will also involve Australia increasing lobbying efforts for a seat on the body’s security council.
Australia is bidding to become one of the 10 non-permanent members of the 15-seat council for a two-year term in 2029 and 2030.
A vote for the positions won’t take place until 2028.
So far, Australia and Finland are the only countries that have put up their hand for the two spots available from the Western Europe and Others Group but two-thirds of UN members still need to endorse the role if no other countries come forward.
Mr Albanese will also receive an Atlantic Council Global Citizen Award on the sidelines of the UN, recognising his role in promoting security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
He will be one of four people to be recognised by the council, including Finnish President Alexander Stuff, Formula 1 president Stefano Domenicali and Oscar nominee and Wicked actress Cynthia Erivo.
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