Use of artificial intelligence tool to approve Kangaroo Bay Hotel as major project raises council concerns

Clarence City Council is considering legal action against the Tasmanian Government after it emerged artificial intelligence (AI) was used to approve Kangaroo Bay as a major project.

A proposed hotel development on Hobart’s east bank was given major development status last week after developer Chambroad provided updated economic impact data.

According to a document tabled in Parliament, the Treasury raised concerns about the job creation figures in the developer’s latest application.

“Because the MPP (main project proposal) does not provide any information about the methodology or data generated to support the proponent’s estimates of jobs created during the construction and operation phases of the project, the reliability of these estimates cannot be verified,” Treasury said.

In a response, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPAC) said Microsoft’s Copilot tool was used to allay their concerns.

“Using artificial intelligence, the Office of State Planning obtained data indicating that estimates of 100 full-time equivalent (FTE) construction jobs and 100-150 hotel jobs are reasonable given the proposed site’s 4.5-star rating.” , DPAC said. .

“The proponent’s estimate of the creation of 293 indirect jobs arising from additional visitor expenditure cannot be shown to be incorrect or unfounded.”

Deputy Prime Minister Guy Barnett said the use of AI was “not unusual” and the government supported the jobs that would be created as a result of the project.

“We make no apologies for putting this project on the table by supporting it through the normal planning and approval process,” he said.

“And we are very excited about the potential for more jobs, developments on Hobart’s east bank, particularly in relation to tourism, education, retail, construction and construction.”

But Clarence mayor Brendan Blomley said using artificial intelligence to award major project status “doesn’t stand up to pub scrutiny”.

“This is unusual. How can the minister grant the status of a major project if the submission is not based on clear facts and evidence,” he said.

“The idea that if something cannot be disproved then it is true is incredibly dangerous, as is the Gosplan approach of “close enough is good enough.”

“DPAC and the Office of State Planning received expert economic advice from the Treasury Department but were not happy with the response they received.”

“Instead, they used AI to try to verify Chambray’s claimed job creation statistics. That should tell you all you need to know about the merits of this proposal.”

“Rest assured the council will buy the land and return it to public ownership.”

The project has been a source of controversy since it was first proposed, with residents concerned about its impact on the riverfront, which they believe should be public space.

The council that previously rejected the project will be removed from decision-making throughout the main project process.