Over 10 years we help companies reach their financial and branding goals. Engitech is a values-driven technology agency dedicated.

Gallery

Contacts

411 University St, Seattle, USA

engitech@oceanthemes.net

+1 -800-456-478-23

Age Assurance Technology Trial

Testing & AI Assurance

Experts in technology risk management, AI Assurance, and software quality assurance, KJR will lead the efforts in the technology evaluation in aspects of the trial to ensure solutions are robust, scalable, and aligned with industry standards and user expectations.

The project

Age Assurance Technology Trial

The Age Assurance Technology Trial (AATT) is a key plank of the Australian Government’s online safety agenda and aims to determine the effectiveness of available technologies to better protect young people by limiting their access to harmful and inappropriate content online.

These technologies will be considered as options to prevent access to online pornography by children and young people under the age of 18, and age-limit access to social media platforms for those under 16 years of age in line with the Government’s commitment.

These technologies include:

Age verification: Checking identity credentials to confirm age.

Age estimation and inference: Using biometric markers or digital patterns to determine age, including AI-based analysis.

Parental certification or controls: Mechanisms to involve guardians in online access.

The trial invites Australians to participate in real-world testing of these technology solutions, assessing their effectiveness, readiness, and applicability within the Australian context.

The results of this trial will be communicated to the Australian Government in the 2nd quarter of 2025. These results will inform future policies aimed at enhancing online safety standards and guide the implementation of age assurance technology across platforms accessed by Australians.

The department is working closely with industry and communities to deliver the Age Assurance Trial, which will play an important role in determining the most effective way to protect young people online.

FUNDED BY
KJR EXPERTISE

Leaders in Risk Management

This trial will evaluate various age assurance technologies which may include biometric age verification, AI-based analysis of physical features, getting parental consent and using email verification.

As a leader in technology risk management, AI Assurance, and software quality assurance, KJR will lead the efforts in the technology evaluation in aspects of the trial, including: testing age verification/age estimation technologies and parental controls and certification technologies, AI testing, technology stack deployments, and technology readiness assessments to ensure solutions are robust, scalable, and aligned with industry standards and user expectations.

As the father of three (3) daughters who navigated their high schooling (2013 – 2024) through the rise of social media I’ve seen first-hand the good, the bad and the ugly impacts of social media can have on our young people. KJR is honoured to have front row seats for the unbiased evaluation of the various Age Assurance technologies in the Australian context and it’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly.

the KJR team

Deputy Project Director & Chair of STAC

Evaluation Activity Leads (STAC)

Andrew Hammond

General Manager ACT & NSW

Dr. Kelvin Ross

Chairman

Dr. Mark Pedersen

CTO
KJR EXPERTISE

Approach to Evaluation

The development of the approach to evaluation will be led by a Scientific and Technical Advisory Cell (STAC) chaired by Deputy Project Director, Andrew Hammond.

The development of the test protocols, biometric and test subject data capture, sampling and statistical analysis and ensuring the research is robust, repeatable, reproducible and statistically sound, will be supported by a team of product quality and software evaluation engineers from KJR all undertaken in Australia.

KJR EXPERTISE

Ethics

The ethical approach will include analysis and extent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and multi-ethnic diverse communities in the demographic spread of human test subjects including through the application of the AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research.

Working with KJR’s Cultural Advisor, Johnny Fejo, the project will include initial and ongoing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Monitoring to identify where any aspects of the project have EDI consequences and put in place appropriate measures and controls to address them.

Featured in the Headlines

Media Hub

REUTERS
After Australia legislated a teen social media ban, it has to figure out how to enforce it
MI3
Social Media Ban tech trial project team revealed

KJR is an Australian Software Quality Engineering Consultancy and a leading practitioner in Responsible AI implementation. Founded in 1997, we have decades of experience working with ASX 100 companies and all levels of government departments (Federal, State and Local). We specialise in AI and data assurance, governance, DevSecOps, and testing—empowering organisations to navigate digital advancements securely and efficiently.

Contact us for more information about the AATT project & Media Enquiries

    Contact Us

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Andrew Hammond

    – General Manager ACT & NSW

    A self-proclaimed ‘technology addict’, Andrew (or Drew) has been at the helm of KJR’s ACT operations since 2009. From two people to over 30 consultants today, the Canberra office has soared under his guidance serving multiple Federal government clients and branching into the broader set of KJR services over the past few years. Not one to miss out, Andrew takes a hands-on approach with projects, keeping his carefully-honed skills polished and at the ready.
     
    Andrew’s other passion is sport. Whether it’s ‘netball dad’ duties or riding his bicycle around Australia in the TourXOz for a fantastic cause, he’s the embodiment of a man on a mission. And when work and sport collide, Andrew creates an iOS app to improve the experience for supporters of multiple netball teams.

    Kelvin Ross

    – Chairman

    The man who started it all – Kelvin John Ross is KJR’s founder. Over 22 years ago, Kelvin had completed his PhD in safety critical systems engineering and was ready to have a crack at the “crazy entrepreneurial ideas” in his head. As the world approached the uncertainty of Y2K, KJR emerged and Kelvin’s life was never the same.

     

    When it comes to KJR, Kelvin believes that “like an artist, the painting is never complete”. He is constantly examining the changing world and working with the Collective to keep KJR relevant and of value to clients. In 2020 alone, Kelvin has been deeply involved in the launch of both Queensland AI Hub – connecting Queensland’s AI ecosystem, and Datarwe – real World Data for AI enabled medical innovation, acting as Director and CTO respectively. And in recent years, Kelvin has helped to set-up IntelliHQ, a non-profit developing the ecosystem for AI innovation in healthcare where he remains a Director, is also a Director at AIkademi (The AI Academy), and co-founded the Young Women Leaders in AI program, which encourages and facilitates the development of Australia’s next generation of brilliant female minds.

    Mark Pedersen

    – CTO

    Mark is an IT professional with a passion for digital culture. During the week, he leads his team at KJR through straight-talking solutions to software problems. In his spare time, he can be found crafting soundscapes and audio/visual installations that embrace technology’s propensity for playfulness and expression.

    He first honed his aptitude for software innovation and assurance as a postgrad research assistant at the University of Queensland, where he went on to complete a PhD in Artificial Intelligence, focusing on language technology. It was there he befriended KJR founder Kelvin Ross and they bonded over a shared enthusiasm for fine-tuning software and risk mitigation strategies. He’s been with KJR ever since, taking a few years off to teach IT in the Middle East before returning in 2006 to open the Melbourne branch.

    As CTO, Mark’s technical knowledge and lateral thinking abilities are counted on to lead critical software projects safely out of the red and into the light. And, as a world-class software risk analyst and advisor, he thrives on the satisfaction of bettering lives with technology that actually works.

    Mark Pedersen is a member of the ACS Artificial Intelligence Ethics Committee.