The Australian Government has launched the National Artificial Intelligence Centre. The Centre will help unlock the potential of AI for business by coordinating Australia's AI expertise and capabilities.
The Centre is part of the government’s $124.1 million investment under the AI Action Plan. The plan sets out a vision for Australia to become a global leader in developing and adopting trusted, secure and responsible artificial intelligence.
The Centre has been established within CSIRO’s data and digital specialist arm Data61. The Centre will play a pivotal role to:
- strengthen Australia’s AI capabilities and lift our global competitiveness
- attract new investment
- unlock the potential of AI and create new opportunities for business to access critical AI expertise and capabilities
- help address barriers that small and medium enterprises face in developing AI and other emerging technologies by connecting business with the talent, knowledge and tools to succeed.
Stela Solar has been appointed as the inaugural Director of the Centre, effective January 2022. Prior to her appointment, Stela Solar was the Global Director of Artificial Intelligence Solution Sales and Strategy at Microsoft in the US.
Under the AI Action Plan and the Digital Economy Strategy, CSIRO is also delivering $47.3 million in scholarship programs for AI and emerging technologies. These programs are expected to attract and retain over 460 home-grown, job-ready specialists in these fields.
Read more about the National Artificial Intelligence Centre.