Australia and artificial intelligence (AI): Innovator or consumer?
Australia and artificial intelligence (AI): Innovator or consumer?
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries worldwide, a timely and important question arises: Is Australia an innovator or a consumer of AI? Are we building the tools that will define tomorrow, or are we adapting those built elsewhere to suit our needs?
Australia has the talent, infrastructure, and ambition to lead in the field of AI but to realise that potential, we must understand where we stand today, and where the greatest opportunities lie for technology businesses operating in this market.
What does it mean to be an innovator or consumer?
To be an AI innovator is to shape the future. This means developing new models, applications, and ethical frameworks. Innovators lead the way, setting standards and exporting solutions.
An AI consumer, meanwhile, adopts and adapts existing technologies to local needs. Consumers can be fast followers, but they rarely define the frontier.
Australia has traditionally been a fast adopter of global technologies but that doesn’t mean we’re limited to consumption. In fact, our unique strengths such as world-class research, a collaborative tech ecosystem, and a strong regulatory foundation, position us to lead in areas that matter most.
Australia’s opportunity to lead
Australia is already making strides in AI:
- Our universities are producing cutting-edge research in machine learning and ethics
- Startups are solving distinctly Australian challenges—from bushfire prediction to remote healthcare
- Government and industry are working together to ensure AI is safe, inclusive, and transparent.
These are the building blocks of innovation. What’s needed now is scale, ambition, and strategic investment.
What this means for the tech sector
Rather than asking whether we are innovators, perhaps the better question is: Where can we lead? Australia has the opportunity to:
- Become a regional hub for responsible AI development
- Export context-aware solutions tailored to our geography, economy, and culture
- Shape global conversations on AI governance and ethics.
For technology businesses, this is a moment to lean in, not just to adopt AI, but to help define its future.
Opportunities for tech clients
Whether you're a startup, scale-up, or enterprise, there are clear opportunities:
- Strategic AI adoption: Move beyond tools to rethink how AI can transform your business model, customer experience, and workforce
- Governance and assurance: Build trust with robust frameworks for model validation, bias detection, and compliance
- Localised innovation: Develop AI solutions that reflect Australia’s unique challenges and strengths, from climate resilience to multilingual service delivery.
How BDO can help
Australia is not just a consumer of AI, we are a country with the capability, creativity, and conviction to lead. At BDO, we recognise that technology companies are at the forefront of Australia’s AI journey. Whether you’re developing new AI-driven products, scaling innovative platforms, or integrating advanced analytics into your core offerings, the challenges and opportunities you face are unique. BDO’s technology, media and telecommunications specialists can help you make informed, strategic decisions. Contact our team today.
