The Australian Government will offer small to medium-sized businesses access to free expert advice on safely adopting artificial intelligence into their operations. Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic unveiled four AI Adopt Centres under the AUD17 million AI Adopt Program on May 28, 2028.
“Mobilising industry for a Future Made in Australia will be a whole lot easier if we can get businesses of all shapes and sizes using AI properly,” said Husic. “These AI Adopt Centres will be a helpful partner for small businesses to drive productivity and will work with them to develop new products, safely and responsibly.”
The four AI Adopt projects will be operated by:
- Boab AI Adopt Centre, a consortium of industry and university partners delivering courses and one-on-one mentoring in AI, focussing on medical science, agriculture, renewables, and low emissions tech.
- Digital Transformation Australia, who will leverage the Advanced Robotics Manufacturing (ARM) Hub to provide manufacturing SMEs with a tangible pathway to understanding how AI can help their businesses.
- elevenM, who will guide SMEs through the design and implementation of AI solutions with a focus on workflow and governance solutions.
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Redgrid Internet of Energy Enterprises, who will focus on regional SMEs, particularly in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and renewable technologies.
The department chose the four organisations through a competitive grant process. Each centre will target businesses in key priority areas of the National Reconstruction Fund.
The centres will aim to demonstrate how AI can modernise businesses and boost productivity. They will provide clear guidance on how to adopt AI safely and efficiently.
AI Adopt Centres will also provide free specialist training to help businesses and staff develop specific skills to manage AI effectively.
The centres will complement the National Artificial Intelligence Centre and participate in the Responsible AI Network.
“As the pandemic experience showed, technology can help SMEs keep operating in tough conditions but also find ways to do things into the long term smarter and more efficiently,” said Husic. “That’s what I want these AI Adopt Centres to do.”
