Australia Unveils National AI Plan to Boost Investment and Capabilities

Australia has announced plans to develop a national artificial intelligence strategy to enhance its artificial intelligence capabilities and attract investment, aiming to unlock the economic productivity potential of these technologies. The strategy will focus on building artificial intelligence skills, sovereign capabilities and infrastructure to enable Australia to seize the opportunity that the government expects artificial intelligence to add to GDP by 2030 by $600 billion.

The AI ​​plan will be developed in consultation with industry and is expected to be released in the second half of 2025, after the next federal election, which is scheduled to be held in the first half of this year.

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Australian Federal Minister of Industry and Science Ed Husic emphasized the plan’s role in promoting investment in artificial intelligence, enhancing industrial development and Create high-paying jobs Nationwide.

“We need to expand our capabilities in critical technologies in a way that benefits businesses and their employees,” Husik said in a statement announcing the new artificial intelligence initiative.

What will Australia’s new artificial intelligence capabilities plan include?

The AI ​​plan aims to develop a comprehensive strategy that focuses on AI investments, existing strengths and advantages, skills development, and sovereign infrastructure and capabilities.

Australia looks to increase investment in artificial intelligence

The government plans to review how existing Australian state and federal government support mechanisms work together to hinder or promote Australia’s artificial intelligence technology ecosystem. It will also identify Ways to promote private sector innovation and investment in artificial intelligence capabilities.

Focus on strengthening artificial intelligence capabilities

The plan will identify the following areas The research and innovation strength of Australian universities and businesses Can support the development of artificial intelligence industry. In addition, the government will explore new opportunities to leverage comparative advantage in key economic sectors such as agriculture, mining and renewable energy.

Artificial Intelligence Skills and Training Strategies

The government hopes to accelerate artificial intelligence literacy through the following methods Identify new skills and training and retraining methods. We will also work to reskill employees throughout their careers, helping them seize new AI-driven job opportunities or reskill as AI automates parts of existing roles.

sovereign capabilities and infrastructure

Where will the government consider May require sovereign capabilities or infrastructure Help Australia maximize the use of artificial intelligence technology. It will also consider the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence and digital inclusion in Australia, and how artificial intelligence will impact communities and workers.

How will Australia’s new plan be developed and finalized?

As artificial intelligence will impact almost every industry, the government said the strategy will be developed in consultation with various stakeholders, including industry and the public. The government will therefore conduct targeted public consultation before finalizing the plan. The Australian Department of Industry, Science and Resources will be responsible for this process.

When will the AI ​​capability plan be finalized?

The plan won’t be released until the end of 2025. Claims this pace is too slow to seize new AI opportunities. It believes the government should speed up the timetable. Federal elections will be held during this period, and if there is a change of government, this could impact the electoral process.

Why is Australia embarking on an artificial intelligence capability plan?

The Australian government outlined its intentions for its existing comparative advantages in the field of artificial intelligence, emphasizing that it will adopt an “Australia first” approach to develop the local artificial intelligence industry in the future.

When announcing the plan, the government highlighted that approximately 650 artificial intelligence companies are already headquartered in Australia. Figures released by the government show that foreign investors contributed A$7 billion to Australian artificial intelligence technology in the five years to 2023.

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“This plan will look at leveraging our artificial intelligence expertise to protect our supply chains and strengthen our critical infrastructure,” Husik said. “This is what businesses need and we are delivering. We will work with businesses, communities and Workers work closely together to drive investment in our artificial intelligence capabilities.

What else is Australia doing to enhance its artificial intelligence prospects?

The government has Criticized for focus on regulation and guardrails to protect citizens from artificial intelligencerather than supporting AI innovation, investment and adoption. The AIIA said Australia has been “slow by global standards to adopt artificial intelligence in its economy” because it has expressed “concerns and fears” about the technology.

However, the government noted that the National Reconstruction Fund has invested A$1 billion in critical technologies, while R&D tax incentives support nearly A$500 million worth of artificial intelligence, computer vision and machine learning projects between 2022 and 2023.

The government has also established a network of “AI Adoption” centers to upskill SMEs who want to understand and adopt AI in their businesses. The National Artificial Intelligence Center has also released a micro-skills course “Introduction to Artificial Intelligence”, provided by TAFE NSW.