Business leaders are encouraged to explore the embrace of artificial intelligence, as the state’s AI leadership potential comes to the fore ahead of a conference next week.
Business leaders are encouraged to explore the embrace of artificial intelligence, as the state’s AI leadership potential comes to the fore ahead of a conference next week.
On the same day as former foreign minister Julie Bishop called for collaboration between government and big tech to regulate the emergence of AI, WA Data Science Innovation Hub director Alex Jenkins likened the AI business opportunity to the dawn of the internet.
“This is as big as the computing revolution, as big as the introduction of the internet and as big as mobile phones – it’s probably bigger than in terms of potential than those three milestones,” he told Business News.
“[Not embracing AI] would be like if your business decided it wasn’t going to use computers.
“That’s the kind of change we’re going to see.”
A WA government initiative, the Curtin University-based WA Data Science Innovation Hub is part of a movement to increase the profile and uptake of artificial intelligence in the state.
The organisation will host an AI-focused business conference at the Westin next week, designed to educate those beyond the technology sphere on its business potential.
Mr Jenkins said AI would deliver GDP disruptions in the order of trillions by 2030, with WA ideally placed to contribute strongly.
“WA has a huge part to play in this, and it’s important that WA is part of the national conversation around artificial intelligence,” he said.
“We have a world-leading resources and mineral processing industry in WA and we could definitely make WA a global use of AI in mining and resources.
“But there’s also a burgeoning health and medical research industry in WA, and AI is already making huge strides towards accelerating research and improving health outcomes.”
His comments came the same day as Ms Bishop told the National Press Club that industry had a leading role to play in ensuring a safe AI rollout in Australia, following in the footsteps of the US Government’s industry collaborative approach.
Mr Jenkins said he felt Australia was well position to tackle the complexities that come with AI regulation.
“It is important that alongside the innovation we have this conversation around ethics and appropriate AI use,” he said.
“There are dangers presented, but Australia is very well positioned to tackle that risk.”
The Data & AI for Business conference takes place next Wednesday and Thursday.
