NAIC 2022 Listening Tour learnings

Date published:
19 June 2023

To comprehensively understand the experiences, opportunities and barriers of AI adoption in Australia, Director of National AI Centre Stela Solar embarked on a national listening tour. She met and consulted with 135 organisations and conducted 27 roundtable discussions across the nation.

Discussions and findings

The round table discussions spanned topics like:

  • commercialisation
  • industry adoption of AI
  • unique SME needs
  • regulation and standards
  • skills and education
  • research to industry connection
  • community understanding
  • responsible AI and trust
  • Australia’s AI strengths.

We heard that AI technology can be a catalyst for positive business and community outcomes, such as:

  • differentiated products and services
  • increased customer and employee satisfaction
  • improved productivity
  • improved access to services.

We also heard that that SMEs face challenges with AI adoption and innovation. This includes a need for more:

  • investment in skills and community understanding
  • robust guidelines for responsible AI.

We saw Australia’s AI ecosystem creating world-leading outcomes with an awareness of trustworthy, responsible AI. A critical global need and a differentiating capability for Australia that’s grounded our core values of ‘a fair go’.

Six main messages

  • Empower industry and support SMEs.
  • Broaden skills, opportunities and community understanding.
  • Accelerate commercialisation.
  • Connect ecosystem.
  • Cultivate trust.
  • Amplify strengths.

NAIC prepared and released this report when still part of CSIRO.