Victoria wants to be the nation’s AI capital

The Victorian Government has announced that it is positioning the state to be Australia’s capital for digital infrastructure, data capacity, and adoption of artificial intelligence.

Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Danny Pearson launched the Government’s AI Mission Statement on Friday, outlining a bold vision for Victoria to become a global leader in responsible and ethical adoption of AI. The government says it is focused on building public trust in the technologies that are transforming daily life to unlock the enormous economic potential of AI, which could generate up to $30 billion in GSP over the next 10 years.

The Statement sets out a strategic framework for AI investment and positions Victoria as a national leader in safe, trusted AI development, adoption and infrastructure, supported by a skilled workforce.

The Statement is underpinned by six key pillars: investment attraction and adoption, data centres and digital infrastructure, local innovation, products and services, talent and workforce, ethical AI use and public sector adoption.

The Statement is backed by two new initiatives aimed at seizing the economic opportunities AI presents.

Through the $5.5 million Sustainable Data Centre Action Plan, Victoria says it will harness its land, energy and talent to unlock projects valued at up to $25 billion, establishing the state as the Asia-Pacific hub for sustainable data centres. Data on transport, energy and water will help determine the most sustainable locations for new data centres, while partnerships with TAFEs will develop the skilled workforce needed to support them.

The $8.1 million Digital Jobs – AI Career Conversion program aims to safeguard jobs in industries at risk from AI, upskilling workers to transition into AI roles and become specialists in the technology.

“We’re embracing AI with the same bold ambition that has made Victoria a global innovation leader, paving the way for our state to become the nation’s capital of AI,” said Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Danny Pearson. “Our AI Mission Statement outlines how Victoria will seize the potential of AI to accelerate innovation, lift productivity and grow our economy.”

Melbourne is already home to 188 AI companies and around 22% of all clustered AI firms in Australia — the largest concentration in the country.

The Victorian Government’s AI Mission Statement, can be found at djsir.vic.gov.au/ai-mission-statement.

Image credit: iStock.com/sankai