Future Brisbane: City strives to become nation’s innovation capital

The 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games can ignite innovation in Brisbane and celebrate our tech prowess, attract top talent and create a legacy, writes Ed Chung.

As the CEO of a homegrown technology company, I have the privilege of witnessing the boundless potential of innovation every day.

In 2032, Brisbane stands at the threshold of a remarkable opportunity – hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games. This extraordinary event can serve as a catalyst for drawing the finest tech talent, employing cutting-edge technology to enhance the Olympic experience, and fostering a lasting legacy.

The Olympics are a spectacle of human achievement and unity, but technology can enhance the experience for athletes, spectators, and the global audience. Brisbane should leverage its tech nous to create a seamless and memorable event.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning can optimise logistics, security, and event management. Predictive analytics can streamline transportation. Blockchain can ensure data and ticketing system integrity. Software-as-a-Service solutions can promote environmental sustainability through waste management, energy efficiency, and transportation solutions.

The path to becoming an innovation hub starts with attracting brilliant minds and nurturing an environment that fosters their growth. Brisbane has made considerable strides in positioning itself as a technology centre, home to numerous start-ups, research institutions, and industry leaders calling our city home. Hosting the 2032 Olympics can propel us to the next level.

The first step is to use the Olympics as a magnet for top tech talent. With the world’s attention on Brisbane, we should showcase our vibrant tech ecosystem. Hosting a successful Olympics will require a substantial digital infrastructure, cybersecurity measures, and smart city technologies – an ideal opportunity to attract professionals who can innovate and implement these solutions.

TechnologyOne CEO Ed Chung in the ASX-listed company’s Fortitude Valley headquarters. Picture: David Clark

To seize this opportunity, businesses, educational institutions, and the government should collaborate to create a welcoming environment for tech talent.

But I’m not talking about encouraging global tech giants to set up their operations here, let’s invest in the grassroots of local businesses that foster a dynamic ecosystem where creativity and innovation thrive.

The impact of the 2032 Olympics doesn’t end with the closing ceremony. The talent attracted for the Olympics should not be short-term, but a part of the city’s future because a thriving tech scene attracts talent, fuelling innovation and economic growth.

At TechnologyOne, we’re committed to attracting and retaining top talent by fostering a workplace culture that values our incredible team members. Our approach goes beyond the digital realm, whether it be through events such as our annual Hack Day, where we all put tools down for 24 hours to workshop new ideas and solve problems, the opening of our onsite gym in our Brisbane office, attractive workplace flexibility and employee share schemes options.

We know how much collaboration happens when we collide, and to cement Brisbane as the innovation capital, I am a firm believer in making such collisions happen.

Diversity and inclusivity are also vital for a thriving tech ecosystem and promoting opportunities to under-represented groups will be key to bringing together varied perspectives that lead to innovative solutions, keeping Brisbane’s tech scene vibrant and competitive.

The 2032 Olympics can ignite innovation in Brisbane. As the world’s eyes turn toward our city, we can showcase our tech prowess, attract top talent, and create a legacy. Brisbane can be the innovation capital of Australia – a place where talent flourishes, ideas thrive, and the Olympic legacy endures. Our time is now, and our future is bright.