Australia’s artificial intelligence (AI) Sprint was launched today to help startups and entrepreneurs rapidly develop AI solutions to address pressing national issues including cost of living, governance, supply chain resilience, human and environmental well-being, and workforce transformation. The AI Sprint is a collaboration between the National AI Centre (coordinated by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO), Australia’s largest innovation community Stone & Chalk, and Google Cloud.
The AI Sprint is a three-month competitive program designed to provide startups and entrepreneurs with access to resources, tools, and the expert support needed to rapidly refine AI-powered ideas into demonstration-ready prototypes. Applicants will be accepted based on their proposals aligned to one of the program’s opportunity statements, with the first phase of the AI Sprint scheduled to commence in February 2024. A selection of participants will progress to the second stage where they will benefit from enhanced support and resources in preparation for a Demo Day, where prototypes will be presented to an audience of industry stakeholders.
A lucrative prize for the winners
The winner of the AI Sprint will be awarded $300,000-worth of research and development support from selected Australian research institutes, while second and third will receive $100,000. This prize is provided by the NAIC and includes facilitation services by CSIRO’s SME connect. Winners will also be eligible for a range of support services from Stone & Chalk to help them to secure the essential capital, customers, expertise and talent for the most successful launch of their business.
A partnership to nurture AI innovation
Stone & Chalk will bring essential startup support services to the table, with Google Cloud bringing AI technical support, while NAIC contributes AI expertise, an engaged community and resources. Together, the partnership will nurture AI innovation and position Australia at the forefront of responsible AI advancement.
National AI Centre Director Stela Solar said Australia’s AI Sprint is central to the NAIC’s mission to create a thriving local AI industry and accelerate the nation’s sovereign AI capabilities.
“Australia’s AI Sprint offers our innovators the technological expertise and commercial savvy to create AI solutions with real impact for Australia. The initiative provides start-ups and entrepreneurs with the end-to-end support needed to refine their innovations, gain visibility, and bring their AI solutions to market. This is the springboard opportunity to transform AI concepts into real-world impact.”
CEO of Stone & Chalk Group, Chris Kirk, said by partnering with NAIC and Google Cloud, Australia’s AI Sprint has the unique ability to accelerate the long-term growth of AI in Australia.
“We are excited to be part of this initiative that will unleash the potential of AI to solve some of the most pressing challenges facing our society and economy. By providing access to world-class mentors, investors, customers, and partners, we aim to help the participants scale their ventures and create positive impact.”
Google Cloud’s Head of Public Sector for Australia and New Zealand, Colin Timm, said Google Cloud is proud to support the AI Sprint and help foster the next generation of AI innovators in Australia.
“Google Cloud is committed to helping organisations of all sizes and sectors leverage the power of AI to drive innovation and transformation. We are delighted to partner with NAIC and Stone & Chalk to provide the AI Sprint participants with the best-in-class cloud technology, tools, and expertise to turn their ideas into reality.”
A call for applications
The AI Sprint is now open for applications from startups and entrepreneurs who have an AI-powered idea that aligns with one of the program’s opportunity statements. The opportunity statements are based on the National AI Ethics Framework and cover the following themes:
- Cost of living: How might we use AI to reduce the cost of living for Australians?
- Governance: How might we use AI to improve the transparency, accountability, and efficiency of governance in Australia?
- Supply chain resilience: How might we use AI to enhance the resilience and sustainability of supply chains in Australia?
- Human and environmental well-being: How might we use AI to improve the health, safety, and well-being of humans and the environment in Australia?
- Workforce transformation: How might we use AI to enable the workforce of the future in Australia?
The deadline for applications is February 28, 2024. More information and application details can be found on the AI Sprint website.
