POGO inaugural public lecture explores Australia’s AI growth opportunity
Australia needs to transform its domestic technological capacities to maintain the nation's long-term prosperity and security, The Hon Dr Andrew Charlton MP told a full-house audience at the Department of Policy and Governance’s inaugural annual public lecture on 18 August 2026.
Themed "Australia's AI growth opportunity”, this lecture explored how Australia can harness artificial intelligence for economic growth and national prosperity.
Dr Charlton, Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy and Cabinet Secretary, highlighted the policy settings and strategic choices that will shape Australia's position in a world remoulded by AI.
Following the announcement of the mandatory national Australian AI Standards in July 2026, Dr Charlton outlined the importance of attracting data centres while ensuring they deliver value for the national interest.
Australia's strengths in land, energy and political and legal stability provide a strong foundation for a competitive data centre industry, Dr Charlton said. However, he emphasised that capturing the broader economic benefits of AI will require the country to move further up the value chain, including in AI models and software.
He also underlined the government's role in creating the conditions for Australian startups and research institutions to compete, including access to reliable and affordable computing power to build AI infrastructure.
Dr Charlton identified two urgent tasks: adopting AI to lift the productivity of Australian workers in Australian businesses, and positioning Australia better in the value chain to ensure that Australians capture a greater share of the value generated by AI. He stressed,
"If we want Australian AI firms to grow and flourish, we need to give them a chance. We want to make sure that Australian options are on the table, that they're available, that they aren't invisible to the service."