InnovationAus Podcast

Alister Henskens, NSW Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology, & NSW Minister for Skills and Training

New South Wales will continue to focus on research commercialisation through its on-going co-investment in critical research infrastructure and encouraging greater collaboration of the “triple helix” of universities, government and industry, according to the state’s Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology Alister Henskens. In this podcast, Mr Henskens – who is also NSW Minister for Skills and Training, talks to InnovationAus editor James Riley.

Counterpoint Conversations, Ep4: Transformative projects at scale and speed

This discussion will explore transformative projects within the public sector. Public sector projects progress at a different speed to those in the private sector, and scrutiny of government project management extends far beyond a government agency’s internal stakeholders - there are multiple goals and milestones to report on, many teams of people to manage and access to an incredible wealth of resources.

In this episode, Public Sector Medal recipient Patricia Kelly (formerly with the SKA and IP Australia), and Principal of Buildcorp, Josephine Sukkar, explore the projects that have been created in the public sector environment and become transformative by way of multiple applications across the economy. What are the projects that have been created within certain confines of government, that have gone on to be the foundation for significant national policies and outputs – and who are the people working behind the scenes to deliver them?

Part 2: Capability - Submarines, industrial development and frontier technologies

The Capability - Submarines, industrial development and frontier technologies webinar was a discussion at the highest levels of business about how companies can mobilise to build strategically important and commercially valuable intellectual property.

Large-scale defence contracts direct huge investment into high-tech industries. At a time when a raft of powerful new technologies are coming of age, considered and well-directed industry programs and partnerships can be truly transformative. The industrial development opportunities for Australia are extraordinary.

Where is Australia placing its big bets to leverage existing research leadership? Where does Australia already have comparative advantage, and where will it partner to augment home-grown capability ? Quantum, artificial intelligence, 5G, advanced manufacturing, robotics and automation, and critical mineral processing are all part of this mix.

Expert guests included:

• Adrian Beer, CEO, METS Ignited
• Rob Le Busque, Regional Vice President, Asia Pacific at Verizon Business Group
• Jens Goennemann, Managing Director, Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre.

For more information on what was discussed, see AUKUS brings ‘huge multiplier effect’ to local industry (innovationaus.com).

Part 1: Capability - Submarines, industrial development and frontier technologies

The Capability - Submarines, industrial development and frontier technologies webinar was a discussion at the highest levels of business about how companies can mobilise to build strategically important and commercially valuable intellectual property.

Large-scale defence contracts direct huge investment into high-tech industries. At a time when a raft of powerful new technologies are coming of age, considered and well-directed industry programs and partnerships can be truly transformative. The industrial development opportunities for Australia are extraordinary.

Where is Australia placing its big bets to leverage existing research leadership? Where does Australia already have comparative advantage, and where will it partner to augment home-grown capability ? Quantum, artificial intelligence, 5G, advanced manufacturing, robotics and automation, and critical mineral processing are all part of this mix.

Expert guests included:

• The Hon. Steven Marshall, Premier of South Australia
• Professor Michelle Simmons AO, CEO & Founder at Silicon Quantum Computing, Director at ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology
• Rear Admiral Lee Goddard , RAN, Head of Partnerships & Operations at Minderoo Foundation.

For more information on what was discussed, see AUKUS brings ‘huge multiplier effect’ to local industry (innovationaus.com).

Counterpoint Conversations, Ep3: The social aspects of cyber: beyond the 1s and 0s

Those who make up the senior cohort of cyber in gov are mainly women, and we’re interested to discuss the reasons for this and how it benefits cyber as a portfolio. How much of an executive-level role in the cyber industry is about the technology, and how much is about people skills and an ability to convey the message? This episode will discuss ‘counterpoints’ of how gender and diversity more generally equips business and government to be more cyber resilient.

The age of trust, Series 2, Ep6: 5G to enable supercharged problem-solving solutions

We understand at a high level that 5G is a powerful new technology, but how this next-gen tech is harnessed ultimately comes down to its creative application by industries to solve their most pressing challenges. In this episode of Age of Trust, InnovationAus publisher Corrie McLeod talks to Stuart Hendry, head of global enterprise & public sector for the Asia Pacific at Nokia and Rob Le Busque, regional VP for the Asia Pacific at Verizon about how 5G can supercharge problem-solving solutions.

The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers do not necessarily reflect the view or position of Verizon.

Counterpoint Conversations, Ep2: Diversity and Indigenous representation in AI

The Australian Government’s goal to be a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) must be a diverse and inclusive effort if we’re to better benefit from varied approaches to problem solving.

This not only refers to the importance of supporting the next generation of women in STEM, but also including the voices of First Peoples as we negotiate the complexity around AI and machine learning.

This discussion will focus on what the creation of ethical AI looks like from an indigenous perspective and how responsible AI and science is being combined with Indigenous knowledge to solve complex problems, both in Australia and abroad.

Counterpoint Conversations, Ep1: Turning the language of science into the language of business

Members of the academic field of science will play a vital role in building the 21st century enterprises that will create solutions and jobs critical to solving complex societal problems. However, we can only ever be successful with our scientific endeavours if we can get them out of the lab and into the business landscape. Dharmica Mistry, co-founder and former chief scientist for BCAL Diagnostics and Head of medtech and biotech for Cicada Innovations, and Alistair Gordon, CEO of HFL Leadership, discuss business as a counterpoint to science, the importance of business acumen to effectively communicate its applications, and the barriers encountered by women undertaking management and leadership activity in technical fields.

The age of trust, Series 2, Ep4: Essential two-way trade

Streamlining the two-way trade and investment process between Australia and the US is essential to the COVID recovery of both countries. The value of this mutual investment currently accounts for 90% of the Australian share market, and is 10 times larger than the value of our relationship with China. So what has changed in how the two countries can work together? April Palmerlee, CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce In Australia (AmCham) and MJ Salier, Chief Legal Counsel at Verizon discuss how we can leverage the trust American businesses have in Australia’s transparent and accountable legal and regulatory systems, and what role 5G and IoT connected devices can play in this relationship.

The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers do not necessarily reflect the view or position of Verizon.

The age of trust, Series 2, Ep5: Leveraging the link between 5G and digital twin technology

5G is a pivotal feature of connectivity. In this InnovationAus The Age of Trust podcast, NSW Government Department of Customer Service’s Director Spatial Services, Wayne Patterson, and Verizon’s Head of Solution Architects, Tony Harb, discuss the importance of connectivity for important, and at times critical, digital twins of real-world entities. Leveraging digital twins could create value for enterprises in Industry 4.0, address the challenges of Australia’s COVID recovery to boost the economy, and support organisations in their digital transformation.

The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers do not necessarily reflect the view or position of Verizon.