Australia’s AI lag prompts calls for substantial investment to stay competitive

 
Australia is falling behind in the global competition for artificial intelligence (AI), and without significant new investments, it risks missing out on future job opportunities, warns a report from the University of Adelaide’s Australian Institute for Machine Learning (AIML).

The analysis reveals that Australia’s AI investment as a percentage of its GDP significantly lags behind countries like South Korea, Singapore, France, Germany, and Japan. Furthermore, it notes a substantial deficit in the number of institutions dedicated to AI research in Australia.

The importance of AI research as a driver of innovation, which can revitalise existing industries and spawn new ones. To address this gap, AIML has proposed the creation of a National Centre of Excellence in Machine Learning, designed to bring together Australia’s top AI research groups and industry experts.

The AIML recommends an initial government investment of $80 million over four years, with additional funding from industry and universities. The proposed centre aims to nurture the next generation of AI experts, develop educational programs, and establish a national curriculum for vocational training.