The Australian Packaging & Processing Machinery Association (APPMA) has welcomed the federal government's release of an AI Action Plan to accelerate the development and adoption of AI technologies, which is set to position Australia as a global leader in artificial intelligence.
Australia’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Plan is backed by $124.1 million in funding announced in the May Budget and sets out focus areas for government, which include supporting businesses to adopt AI, growing and attracting the world’s best AI talent, and using AI to solve significant national challenges.
APPMA chairman Mark Dingley told PKN: "We welcome this initiative as an endorsement to a large number of our members that have already accelerated investments in developing specialist skills in AI technologies to provide an enhanced level of solutions and remote support to our Australian manufacturers."
Dingley said, "In a more digitally connected world as a result of the collective COVID experiences, this plan also supports the manufacturing modernisation initiatives that have already been announced over the last several months.
The announcement was also well received by Australian automation integration specialist, Foodmach, a member of APPMA. CEO Earle Roberts told PKN Foodmach will be a keen participant in the initiatives outlined in the plan.
“We already have R&D underway to utilise AI as part of our advanced line control systems. The intent is to use machine learning to tune a production line based on a wide variety of inputs ranging from common characteristics of SKUs though to atmospheric conditions in the production hall,” Roberts said.
“Additional funding and support will allow us to accelerate this process and unlock further value for our clients and for Australia.”
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Christian Porter said, “We are already seeing so many benefits of AI in our everyday lives, from supercharging our economic recovery from the pandemic and unlocking new jobs, to protecting our environment, improving health outcomes and making our cities and homes smarter.
“AI could contribute more than $20 trillion to the global economy by 2030, and the AI Action Plan will help us leverage opportunities for AI to further strengthen the economy and improve the quality of life of all Australians, while ensuring that the development and adoption of AI is guided by appropriate safeguards, privacy and ethical considerations.
“The Action Plan is also supported by a whole-of-government agenda that sets the right foundations to support the growth of Australia’s digital economy, and forms part of our Digital Economy Strategy,” Minister Porter said.
THE PLAN OUTLINED
Under the Plan, the government is investing $53.8 million to create a National Artificial Intelligence Centre to coordinate the nation’s AI expertise and capabilities, and foster greater collaboration between industry and research institutions.
Additionally, the government will invest $24.7 million in the skills of the future by establishing the Next Generation AI Graduates Program to attract and train home-grown, job-ready AI specialists.
The government will also provide $33.7 million to support Australian businesses to partner with government on pilot projects for AI-based solutions to national challenges.
A further $12 million will be used to promote AI opportunities in regional areas by co-funding up to 36 competitive grants to develop AI solutions that address local or regional challenges.
Looking to 2030, the AI Action Plan brings the Australian Government’s investment in AI to almost half a billion dollars since 2018.
EDUCATION IS KEY
PKN also spoke to Dr Zygmunt Szpak, the director of Insight Via Artificial Intelligence (IVAI), about his view on the Action Plan. Dr Szpak welcomed the government’s proposed investment and the plan itself, which he said at face value, looks very promising.
“It hits the right note, but it’s not clear yet how it will be executed,” Dr Szpak says.
He said the challenge lies in convincing the manufacturing sector there will be a return on investment in AI, and addressing this via education from qualified experts will be crucial if Australia is to make any meaningful advances towards leadership in AI.
“It’s about derisking the AI opportunity cost for manufacturers, and government will need to be clear on how it intends to provide the necessary educational support, connecting the experts with manufacturers,” he said.
“Packaging manufacturers are already adopting advanced automation technologies, but many lack the understanding of how AI can unlock value in their businesses,” Szpak said.
“Contemporary AI is essentially about prediction, and harnessing that predictive analysis through the application of AI technology will help manufacturers increase productivity and optimise the use of their resources in a manufacturing facility.”
As Szpak says, AI thrives in environments where data is abundant, and manufacturing is certainly such an environment.
The AI Action Plan is now available at: industry.gov.au/ai-action-plan
