The Australian Technology Network of Universities (ATN Universities) has welcomed the Commonwealth Government’s announcement of a new Australian Office of Artificial Intelligence, saying that a coordinated national approach to AI must be matched by investment in the skills, education and research needed to support successful adoption.
The Office of Artificial Intelligence, which will sit within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, will coordinate Australia’s AI policy and develop a national framework guiding Australia’s AI approach.
ATN Universities Executive Director Dr Marks said that universities will be central to preparing Australians for an AI-enabled economy by working alongside industry to deliver practical education and vastly increased work-integrated learning opportunities.
“Productivity starts with people. Our recent Productivity solutions paper: building a stronger, fairer economy for Australia highlights this by recommending practical ways to strengthen our AI capability and set us up for success. At the core of that report we call for work-integrated learning opportunities to be expanded to include all university students, not just select disciplines. This will be critical in creating graduates who can hit the ground running in areas of rapid change like AI.”
“We welcome the Federal Government’s vision for a structured and secure approach to AI adoption. The next step is ensuring that our people are equipped with the skills needed to thrive in this new world.”
