February
Westpac works with Accenture to deploy AI agents
The bank has already used agentic AI to assist its engineers move code to new cloud-based systems. Triaging mortgage applications could follow.
How Jamila leapt from Somalian village to VC-backed AI firm
Jamila Gordon came to Australia thanks to the kindness of a stranger. Studying here transformed her life – and now she’s changing the food industry.
Labor is throwing money at quantum but drowning AI in regulation
The unanswered question is how can any country effectively regulate a fast-changing emergent technology and expect to be competitive in the global digital economy.
Bigger story behind Sanjeev Gupta’s faltering empire
Readers’ letters on the need for a new model of capitalism; improving students’ literacy; culture wars hurting innovation; CBA’s share price; and robot dogs.
Tech heavyweights back ‘tenacious’ unlikely social entrepreneur
Airtree Ventures, Canva and OIF are among supporters of Forever Projects, a charity started by Wollongong maths teacher Mark Dombkins that is running like a start-up.
Australia’s critical slide in R&D is now a national emergency
In a world reshaping through emerging technologies, the nation needs to put innovation at the centre of its competitive DNA to set up its fortunes for decades.
‘National emergency’ as Australia falls $25b short in R&D
Tesla chair Robyn Denholm and Industry Minister Ed Husic say Australia risks falling behind unless big business spends more on inventing new products and ideas.
Quotas won’t produce more female founders in VC. Here’s what will
Filling innovation funding gaps will boost female founders, suburbs and regions, former Tech Council chief executive Kate Pounder says.
January
CBA to offer loans for prefab homes, a sector it once shunned
Banks, long reluctant to lend for prefab home purchases, are now embracing the sector, which CBA expects to more than triple in value over the next decade.
Is big tech’s AI future really what we’re looking for?
The race is on to build the fastest, most efficient AI models and hopefully tech companies will start developing the products we want to use.
Crypto’s richest man turns firm into family office
Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, out of prison and worth more than $110 billion, is turning the former venture capital arm of his Binance Holdings into a family office.
Behind the cartoon version of the Australian Open going wild online
It started with an attempt to help visually impaired tennis fans. The cartoon feeds of the world’s best tennis players are a sign of a greater shift in consumption.
December 2024
This is why the US military takes Elon Musk’s Martian dream seriously
The Pentagon figures a rocket transport system could shuttle troops and weapons to Asia within 90 minutes if a war broke out with China – and SpaceX’s Starship rocket is about a decade ahead of any rival.
Time to reverse the R&D slide
I encourage everyone with an interest in our long-term prosperity to engage with the review of the system so we get the best possible recommendations.
Tesla’s Robyn Denholm to lead review of R&D settings
The Albanese government has ordered the first review of research and development spending in Australia in almost 20 years.
November 2024
Dear VC, can you please improve our farming industry?
Fruit and vegetable growers have called in the white sneaker brigade to solve the horticulture sector’s problems and open up new markets sooner.
A top CEO reveals what you shouldn’t do in a job interview
Cicada Innovations chief Sally-Ann Williams discusses tips when trying to advance your career, and the thing she does every morning to make better decisions.
Aphantasia: What it’s like when your mind’s eye is blind
When a viral tweet made Yolanda Redrup realise she couldn't create a picture in her mind it changed her understanding of herself and the world around her.
How to give customers and investors what they want
Meeting the expectations of increasingly demanding customers while satisfying investors with strong returns requires more than just good intentions.
October 2024
PE giant buys in as Aussie AI infrastructure start-up raises $45m
Swedish private equity giant EQT is one of the lead investors in a $45 million funding round at Australian AI infrastructure start-up Neara.