20 July 2025
From good intentions to good practice: why AI guidelines matter
The recent national session on responsible AI adoption drew over 100 aged care professionals from across Australia. While the enthusiasm for AI in our sector has been building, the sobering reality is that (partially due to how these new tech tools become available,) we've been flying a bit blind when it comes to implementing these tools safely and effectively.
The wake-up call we needed
The KPMG and University of Melbourne published a study showing that while 58% of workers are intentionally using AI and reporting genuine gains in efficiency and innovation, the misuse statistics are genuinely alarming:
The framework approach
At the AI Adoption in Aged Care Workgroup, we developed the Guidelines for the Responsible Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Aged Care based on real-world experience from the Multicultural Communities Council of SA, which has been actively working with AI guidelines since December 2024. The fact that they're making their resources freely available suggests they understand that this isn't about competitive advantage. It's about raising standards across the entire not-for-profit sector.
Applying the guidelines is an ongoing process
Of course I'm optimistic about this initiative (I drafted the templates after all!), but with some important caveats. The guidelines and templates being offered are only as good as the commitment behind them. Downloading a document doesn't magically make your AI use safe or effective—implementing it thoughtfully does.
What is important is to treat this as the the beginning of an ongoing process. AI tools evolve rapidly, and our guidelines need to evolve with them. The implementation approach needs to include regular review and updating, not just initial setup.
The bigger picture
The fact that the guidelines have been downloaded more than 200 times since last week tells me the sector recognises the importance of getting this right. But recognition is just the first step. The real test will be whether providers actually implement these frameworks or whether they end up gathering digital dust.
The resources from the AI Adoption Workgroup website represent a solid starting point, but they're exactly that—a starting point. The real work happens in the weeks and months after downloading the templates, when organisations need to adapt them to their specific contexts, train their staff, and embed responsible AI use into their daily operations.
If we can get this right—if we can move from good intentions to good practice—AI could genuinely transform our organisations for the better.
The wake-up call we needed
The KPMG and University of Melbourne published a study showing that while 58% of workers are intentionally using AI and reporting genuine gains in efficiency and innovation, the misuse statistics are genuinely alarming:
- 47% admitted to using AI inappropriately
- 63% observed others doing the same
- 66% relied on AI output without checking it
- 56% made mistakes due to AI
The framework approach
At the AI Adoption in Aged Care Workgroup, we developed the Guidelines for the Responsible Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Aged Care based on real-world experience from the Multicultural Communities Council of SA, which has been actively working with AI guidelines since December 2024. The fact that they're making their resources freely available suggests they understand that this isn't about competitive advantage. It's about raising standards across the entire not-for-profit sector.
Applying the guidelines is an ongoing process
Of course I'm optimistic about this initiative (I drafted the templates after all!), but with some important caveats. The guidelines and templates being offered are only as good as the commitment behind them. Downloading a document doesn't magically make your AI use safe or effective—implementing it thoughtfully does.
What is important is to treat this as the the beginning of an ongoing process. AI tools evolve rapidly, and our guidelines need to evolve with them. The implementation approach needs to include regular review and updating, not just initial setup.
The bigger picture
The fact that the guidelines have been downloaded more than 200 times since last week tells me the sector recognises the importance of getting this right. But recognition is just the first step. The real test will be whether providers actually implement these frameworks or whether they end up gathering digital dust.
The resources from the AI Adoption Workgroup website represent a solid starting point, but they're exactly that—a starting point. The real work happens in the weeks and months after downloading the templates, when organisations need to adapt them to their specific contexts, train their staff, and embed responsible AI use into their daily operations.
If we can get this right—if we can move from good intentions to good practice—AI could genuinely transform our organisations for the better.