31/06/2026
Australia leads the AI digital revolution with world No. 2 Ranking
Australia ranks second globally, behind only the United States, in the QS World Future Skills Index for AI readiness. While well-positioned to benefit from the digital revolution, the report emphasizes that Australia must foster university-industry cooperation to upskill millions of workers. Rounding out the top five are the United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada, with rankings determined by talent supply and demand metrics.
https://www.afr.com/policy/health-and-education/australia-s-global-ranking-in-ai-digital-revolution-revealed-20260623-p6099t
22/06/2026
Best and brightest of Australia’s space sector recognised
The seventh annual Australian Space Awards in Sydney celebrated 28 winners from over 160 finalists, recognizing excellence across the nation's growing space sector. Roxane Bandini-Maeder of Geoneon received the top Excellence Award, highlighting the industry's achievements in technology, research, and leadership.
https://www.spaceconnectonline.com.au/industry/7137-best-and-brightest-of-australias-space-industry-recognised
28/04/2026
UNSW unveils AI breakthrough to fast-track semiconductor discovery
Researchers at the University of New South Wales have developed an AI-assisted workflow to speed up the discovery of advanced semiconductor materials, particularly hybrid perovskites used in solar cells and LEDs. Instead of relying on slow trial-and-error testing, the system starts with a desired performance outcome and works backwards to identify suitable materials. It can screen millions of combinations, filter out impractical options, and narrow them down to the most promising candidates for simulation.
https://www.manmonthly.com.au/unsw-ai-workflow-accelerates-materials-discovery/
09/12/2025
Smart in India
University of New South Wales' SMaRT Centre is engaged in meetings in India as part of Australia-India initiatives.During the ongoing visit, Director Prof Veena and team are fostering partnerships to advance research on waste and recycling technologies. They will visit JSW Steel following a recent partnership announcement related to the Indian-Australia decarbonisation initiative under the Renewable Energy Partnership Tech Challenge.
https://www.smart.unsw.edu.au/news-events/news/smart-back-india
17/09/2025
Research & Innovation
Sydney University and Siemens ink $ 9 mln MRI Research Deal
University of Sydney has announced a $9 million partnership with Siemens Healthineers to launch the most advanced MRI scanner in New South Wales. This new facility, the Cima.X 3T MRI Clinical Research Facility, was developed through a strategic collaboration between the University and Siemens Healthineers. It brings cutting-edge imaging technology to the state for the first time, boosting NSW’s ability to conduct advanced medical research and translate it into clinical practice.
https://www.miragenews.com/sydney-uni-siemens-ink-9m-mri-research-deal-1532051/
15/07/2025
Innovation & Technology
AI drones from CQUniversity target weed management
CQUniversity researchers are advancing a drone-based, AI-driven weed management system with a $1.1 million federal grant. The project, led by Dr. Nahina Islam, aims to provide a sustainable alternative to costly and harmful herbicide spraying and has shown promise in cotton crop trials. The funding from Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA) Innovate program will enhance development and commercialisation efforts. The system, supported by a team of specialists and industry partnerships, integrates AI and drone technology to identify and spray weeds efficiently, addressing the $5 billion weed management issue in Australian agriculture.
https://www.manmonthly.com.au/ai-drones-from-cquniversity-target-weed-management/
Sydney start-up Voqo secures $800,000 to end missed property deals, transforming real estate market
A Sydney start-up, Voqo AI, is transforming the property market with AI-powered bots to answer phone calls, aiming to reduce missed opportunities in Australia's $10 trillion real estate sector. The company raised $800,000 in pre-seed funding from major investors including Blackbird and Mark Bouris. Voqo's bots operate continuously to handle inquiries, which often involve publicly available information, thereby reducing reliance on manual labor and streamlining communication.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/technology/sydney-startup-voqo-secures-800000-to-end-missed-property-deals-transforming-real-estate-market/news-story/b01667076c35504791fe025e87f29f81
07/07/2025
Innovation & Technology
Ausgrid powers up V2G technology in NSW
The milestone signifies a move towards a flexible energy future with benefits for customers. Electric vehicles (EVs) can now both draw from and discharge energy back to the grid, transforming them into mobile batteries that help during peak times and provide energy independence. Rob Amphlett Lewis emphasized that V2G technology allows customers to sell excess energy back and recharge at off-peak rates, turning EVs into income-generating assets. With EV batteries larger than typical home batteries, V2G technology offers advantages similar to home batteries on a larger scale. Ausgrid is committed to exploring the potential of EV charging and V2G technology, envisioning a future where EVs are integral to a reliable and sustainable energy system in New South Wales.
https://www.energymagazine.com.au/ausgrid-powers-up-v2g-in-nsw/
