Emma Crichton, CEO of AutogenAI APAC said the announcement was “extremely positive”.

Headquartered on Queensland’s Gold Coast, AutogenAI APAC is well-positioned for the company’s expansion into Asia, and Emma reported the company has enjoyed an impressive take-up rate in Singapore to date.

Aiming to build on Australia’s comparative advantages in AI, Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic announced in Singapore, 16 December that the Albanese Government will work with industry to develop a National AI Capability Plan.

Globally the AI industry is growing rapidly, and AI and automation is expected to generate up to $600 billion a year towards Australia’s GDP by 2030.

There are already around 650 AI companies headquartered in Australia and in the five years to 2023 foreign investors contributed $7 billion to Australian AI technologies.

In 2023 alone $2 billion in venture capital was invested in Australian AI applications.  

“AutogenAI has been working across this area with Founder and CEO, Sean Williams, who is passionate about democratising AI, making the software available to all levels of business from the top level of enterprise and SMEs to NFPs, charities and the broader community,” Emma stated.

“From actively working with government on policy, the point that struck a chord the most was that access to this technology must be fair.  Fairness is about giving access to allow growth in the marketplace across all sectors, for new talent and companies to rise through the ranks and for governments and therefore communities to benefit from a broad spectrum of solutions and strategies.”

 

The National AI Capability Plan aims to:

  • Grow investment:
    • Review how existing state and federal government support mechanisms work together to hinder or enable Australia’s AI ecosystem.
    • Look for ways to boost private sector innovation and investment in AI capability.
  • Strengthen AI capabilities:
    • Identify areas of research and innovation strength across universities and business for future industry growth
    • Explore new areas of comparative advantage in key sectors, for example in agriculture, mining and renewable energy.
  • Boost AI Skills:
    • Work to accelerate AI literacy, identifying new skills, training and re-training.
    • Ensure workers can reskill throughout their careers to take advantage of new employment opportunities.
  • Secure Economic Resilience:
    • Identify areas where sovereign capability or infrastructure is required for Australia to get the most out of AI technologies.
    • Consider opportunities and risks in relation to AI and digital inclusion.
    • Be informed by the experiences and rights of communities and workers – making AI work for us and not the other way around.

The Albanese Government has committed $1 billion for critical technologies under the National Reconstruction Fund and the Research and Development Tax Incentive supported nearly $500 million worth of AI, computer vision and machine learning projects in 2022-23.

The Plan builds on work already done by the Albanese Government, including the creation of a network of AI Adopt centres to upskill SMEs and initiatives by the National AI Centre such as the micro skill course ‘Introduction to Artificial Intelligence delivered through TAFE NSW.

The Hon. Ed Husic, Minister for Industry and Science commented, “Growing investment in AI will supercharge industry and create more well-paid jobs. We need to scale up our capabilities in critical technologies, in ways that work for businesses and their workers.

“This plan will look to harness our AI know-how to secure our supply chains and strengthen our critical infrastructure.

“This is something business is calling for and we’re delivering. We will work closely with firms, and with communities and workers, to drive investment in our AI capabilities.”

The plan is due to be delivered towards the end of 2025, following both a targeted and public consultation period.