AI

AI can boost Australian manufacturing productivity, if it’s used correctly

By Stephen Roebuck, Associate Director of Consultancy, Peninsula Australia Australian manufacturing businesses have their sights set on improving productivity to meet ever-evolving consumer demand through the utilisation of AI. Indeed, this was demonstrated by a recent CommBank report, Manufacturing 2024 Insights Report, which found that 71% of manufacturers are focusing on AI to boost efficiencies. However, with 41% of respondents to the same report identifying labour skills levels as the number one challenge for their business, raising productivity is no easy feat. This is where new and emerging technologies like AI have the potential to transform the industry – provided they are used correctly. Streamline safer processes As the Industrial Revolution proved, any technology or machinery that can automate physically demanding, tedious and manual processes is transformative for productivity. AI is enabling massive leaps in safety, efficiency, and output for manufacturing businesses around the world, reducing the reliance on human observation and labour. Therefore, AI can help reduce the risk of accidents, optimise workflows, and enhance overall operations. In fact, AI’s insights into workplace safety and identification of potential hazards are especially useful for high-risk industries like manufacturing. However, the uptake of new and emerging AI technologies that have become popular in many industries, such as the education and marketing sectors, is moving slower in the Australian manufacturing industry. This is primarily attributable to the costs involved with implementation, which are prohibitive for some businesses. However, this is likely to change as the Federal Government’s $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund funnels more financing into areas including value add-in resources and renewables. But without proper training for workers to use new equipment that is powered by AI, business owners and employers are exposed to a whole new range of risks. Train and maintain Effective training is critical in delivering on the […]

Advanced, energy efficient computing cluster speeds up science

Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has worked with Dell Technologies to build a high-performance computer (HPC) system which will speed up scientific discoveries and help grow Australia’s industry and economy. Named Virga, the HPC system is built on state-of-the-art Dell PowerEdge XE9640 servers and is the first deployment of its kind in Australia, designed to optimise artificial intelligence (AI) workflows while also being power-efficient using direct liquid cooling. Professor Elanor Huntington, CSIRO’s Digital, National Facilities and Collections Executive Director, said Virga will provide the critical computing infrastructure needed for machine learning and AI to grow Australia’s industry and economy. “CSIRO is proud to be a steward of some of Australia’s most important pieces of research infrastructure,” Professor Huntington said. “AI is used in practically all fields of research at CSIRO, such as developing world-leading flexible printed solar panels, predicting fires, measuring wheat crops and developing vaccines, just to name a few. “High-performance computing systems like Virga also play an important role in CSIRO’s robotics and sensing work and are crucial to the recently launched National Robotics Strategy to drive competitiveness, and productivity of Australian industry.” The HPC cluster, which is housed at CDC’s Hume Data Centre in Canberra, is named Virga after the meteorological effect of rain that evaporates before it reaches the ground and was named in recognition of CSIRO’s decades of research into cloud and rain physics. CSIRO’s new, powerful and energy-efficient high-performance computer (HPC) Virga (below)is speeding up science, working alongside THE other HPC Petrichor. Dr Jason Dowling from CSIRO’s Australian e-Health Research Centre said the increase in medical imaging data coupled with the growing complexity of diagnostic techniques has led to an urgent need for advanced computational power and data processing for medical image analysis. “The new HPC facilities will allow researchers in our Australian e-Health […]

One million ‘Introduction to AI’ scholarships available to Australians

Artificial intelligence (AI) ‘scholarships’ are now on offer to one million Australians, in a bid to increase the nation’s literacy of a technology estimated to be worth $4 trillion to the economy by the early 2030s. The free ‘Introduction to Artificial Intelligence’ microskill course is provided by the National AI Centre (NAIC), coordinated by Australia’s national science agency – CSIRO, and the Institute of Applied Technology Digital (IATD). The course will provide a non-technical introduction to AI fundamentals and is designed for people at the beginning their AI literacy journey. This makes it ideal for workers seeking to upskill, individuals starting their career in AI, and small to medium business owners. With many small to medium enterprises (SMEs) grappling with the challenge of adopting AI, NAIC Director Stela Solar said the course is the perfect opportunity for business owners to build their AI understanding. “SMEs make up over 98 per cent of Australia’s economy, and ‘Introduction to AI’ is their opportunity to learn how they can use this revolutionary technology to enhance their operations, services, and market competitiveness,” Ms Solar said. Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) CEO Luke Achterstraat welcomed the introduction of the course, praising its ability to provide small businesses with the knowledge needed to unlock AI’s vast opportunities. “Small businesses are a main source of innovation in Australia – they are entrepreneurs who try new ideas, test new products and usually back themselves with their own capital. “This microskill course will help build confidence and competency for small businesses as they navigate the AI landscape.” Director of IATD Operations Helen Fremlin said the accessibility of the course will empower Australians nation-wide to advance their AI understanding. “No programming or computer science background is required for students to enrol, and the virtual nature of this course […]

Australia’s first ever AI Month launches

Australia’s inaugural Artificial Intelligence (AI) Month launches today, calling on Australians to help shape and plan for the AI future they want to see. Held from November 15 to December 15, AI Month is an initiative from the National AI Centre (NAIC), which sits within Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO. The initiative will bring together leading AI organisations, entrepreneurs and researchers to showcase the country’s domestic expertise and provide a forum to discuss Australian perspectives on AI. National AI Centre Director Stela Solar said that AI Month was central to the NAIC’s mission to pave the way for a responsible and inclusive AI future for Australia. “The rapid advancements in AI this year have emphasised the need for Australia to seize the AI opportunity and accelerate its global competitiveness,” Ms Solar said. “This month we are encouraging everyone to join in the important conversations to make the AI opportunity real. Together we can shape a responsible and inclusive AI future for Australia.” More than 50 free and ticketed AI-related events hosted by over 40 organisations will take place across the country. These workshops, panel discussions, hackathons and conferences will highlight AI use cases, opportunities, best practices, and the strength of Australia’s AI industry. “AI Month is a moment to learn new things, sharpen your skills, and step into new opportunities the future.” Ms Solar said. Australia’s AI Month was officially launched by the Minister for Industry and Science, the Hon Ed Husic, at the opening of Friend or Foe – The Rise of Artificial Intelligence, a new exhibition by Australian technologist and artist Luke Millanta at Queston this morning. Get involved in Australia’s AI Month by joining or submitting an event (please email naic@csiro.au).

Digital service transformation trends

Five ways to stay competitive in 2024 and beyond The digital transformation sweeping the world is revolutionising how we live and work, fuelled by new technologies such as AI, machine learning and automation. Accounting for more than 70 per cent of GDP and 4 in 5 jobs, Australia’s service sector has become a focal point in this change, spurred on by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The University of Queensland (UQ) Business School’s Service Innovation Alliance (SIA) Research Hub is at the forefront of research in this space. Led by internationally recognised experts Professor Janet McColl-Kennedy and Associate Professor Christoph Breidbach, the SIA brought together a roundtable of 64 academic and industry representatives in November 2022, spanning finance, retail, medicine, hospitality, tourism, transportation, construction and more. So, how can leaders refine customer experiences, create service innovations, grow their businesses and effectively manage their workforce through emerging digital technologies? Contributors to the White Paper share their strategies for 2024 and beyond. #1 Maintaining humanness in the age of digitalisation SIA Research Hub Co-Lead, Professor McColl-Kennedy firmly believes that at the very core of every exciting new technology and bold digital transformation, there must beat a human heart. Preserving a human element is a key consideration for service sector organisations, one that’s critical to human and economic wellbeing. Professor McColl-Kennedy said clear boundaries and human oversight were crucial for the responsible implementation of new digital technology. “We’re arguing that humans and not AI should be at the centre of business activities; that humans need to be in charge, directing and shaping the future,” she said. As AI learns from humans by observing and repeating their actions, it can be used to perform mundane and repetitive tasks, such as answering frequently asked questions or filtering email spam, and taught to undertake dangerous or dirty activities […]

Q&A:Dr Paul Flachskampf, CEO, INFORM Australia

AI – It’s been around for a while now. What is all the fuss about? Dr Paul Flachskampf: AI is indeed not a new concept, INFORM has been leveraging these advanced tools to optimise business process for decades, but the excitement and “fuss” we see today stem from the significant advancements made in recent years. AI has evolved to become more sophisticated, capable, and accessible than ever before. It can potentially revolutionise various industries by offering powerful decision-making tools, data-driven insights, and automation that were previously unimaginable. As a result, businesses now have a new tool to optimise their operations, achieve higher levels of efficiency, and gain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving landscape. What are the benefits for businesses using AI? Dr Paul Flachskampf: Businesses using AI can reap numerous benefits, particularly in manufacturing processes. AI tools offer serial manufacturers (in industries like food, pharma, cosmetics, etc.) precise demand planning, robust production schedules, and realistic plans. By planning against limited, real-world capacities such as materials, machines, and personnel, AI optimises the process order, leading to shorter lead times, higher on-time delivery rates (crucial for contract manufacturers), and improved customer relationships. Leveraging the power of Operations Research, Business Intelligence, and Artificial Intelligence, INFORM empowers Australian and New Zealand businesses to streamline operations, resulting in increased efficiency, enhanced sustainability, and improved profitability. With data-driven decisions enabled by AI-driven solutions, businesses experience improved resilience, agility, and productivity. Do you understand the doubts that exist around the technology? Dr Paul Flachskampf: Absolutely, it’s entirely understandable that doubts and concerns surround the implementation of AI technology. AI is indeed a transformative force that can lead to job changes rather than outright job displacement as is so often depicted in the media. Many job roles will evolve, while others might undergo modifications. For instance, […]