The Digital Platform Regulators Forum (DP-REG) has published a working paper on multimodal foundation models (MFMs) used in generative artificial intelligence (AI).
The latest working paper “Examination of technology – Multimodal Foundation Models” examines MFMs – a type of generative AI that can process and output multiple data types, such as image, audio or video – and their impact on the regulatory roles of each DP-REG member.
As generative AI is rapidly expanding into other areas, such as image, audio and video generation, DP-REG has extended its exploration of these technologies to consider the impacts of generative AI more holistically in this new working paper.
There is potential for widespread adoption by consumers and businesses of MFMs, presenting both significant opportunities and substantial risks. One related risk often cited is the increasing use of ‘deepfake’ images and videos.
This paper supports DP-REG’s 2024–26 strategic priorities, which include a focus on understanding, assessing and responding to the benefits, risks and harms of technology, including AI models. It aims to complement and inform broader government work on AI that is underway.
As technologies continue to evolve, it is vital that regulators continue to work together to understand new developments and anticipate emerging issues. The MFMs paper is the third in a series of papers produced by DP-REG, exploring digital platform technologies. Past papers include:
- “Literature summary – Harms and risks of algorithms” which considers the harms and risks posed by some commonly used types of algorithms to end-users and society.
- “Examination of technology – Large Language Models” which explore the benefits and potential harms of Large Language Models (LLMs) that generate text.
DP-REG is made up of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), the eSafety Commissioner (eSafety) and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). Each member contributed to the working papers, reflecting DP‑REG’s purpose to promote a streamlined and cohesive approach to the regulation of digital platform technologies in Australia.
