The Albanese Government today welcomes a $7 billion boost in Australia's AI ecosystem which will help develop local AI infrastructure, spread its benefits, and increase the adoption of AI.
A key pillar of the Government's National AI Plan announced this week is to capture the economic opportunity - and to do so in a way that spreads the benefits through widespread AI adoption, supporting and training Australian workers, and improved public services.
OpenAI today announced the signing of an MoU with Australian firm NEXTDC to develop a local AI infrastructure partnership. This partnership will see a $7 billion next-generation data centre built at NEXTDC's S7 site in Eastern Creek, Sydney.
S7 is expected to deliver thousands of direct and indirect jobs over the course of its construction, as well as ongoing technical, manufacturing, engineering and operational roles.
This project has a sustainable design - with energy to be provided by long-term power purchase agreements for new renewable energy sources (wind, solar and/or batteries) and next generation features not requiring ongoing potable drinking water for cooling operations.
Alongside the OpenAI and NEXTDC MoU, OpenAI is partnering with local Australian businesses including Coles, Wesfarmers, Commonwealth Bank and the NRL to launch a series of skills training initiatives for workers, small businesses and not-for-profits. A new Founder program with Australian venture capital and accelerators will provide support for local startups and innovators.
Quotes attributed to Treasurer Jim Chalmers:
"This is a terrific outcome for our economy and our thriving tech sector.
"It's more proof Australia has the talent, clean energy potential, trade partnerships, and policy settings needed to be one of the big winners when it comes it AI.
"Partnerships like these will help create good jobs, boost skills, and spread AI adoption across our economy."
Quotes attributed to Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science Tim Ayres:
"Stable policy settings and clarity of this Government's approach - as seen through the launch of this week's National AI Plan - is critical to attracting private sector investment.
"We welcome this week's announcement from OpenAI that it is partnering with local firm NEXTDC to develop local AI infrastructure in Sydney.
"This kind of partnership is critical to creating good construction, engineering, technical and manufacturing jobs.
"It's vital that the benefits of AI flow through the whole economy - from the city to the regions - so that no worker, small business, or Australian is left behind."
Quotes attributed to Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy Andrew Charlton:
"As we set out in our National AI Plan, investments like this are how we secure Australia's place in a rapidly changing world.
"This announcement from OpenAI shows the success of the Albanese Labor Government's approach - ensuring responsible growth and bringing in the best technology to support local Australian workers, businesses, and not-for-profits."
