The event formally launched the Tech Policy Design Fund: a landmark multistakeholder initiative designed to support TPDi’s activities. The range of the Fund’s Founding Sponsors – government, Aussie companies, multinational companies, professional associations and philanthropy – reflects the strong demand for independent, ambitious, and expert-led thinking on how technology is shaping Australia’s future. Importantly, TPDi does not represent the views of fund contributors, who – as a condition of joining the fund – commit to respect and promote TPDi’s independence.

Thanks to our Founding Sponsors: Amazon, the Commonwealth Bank, the Australian Government Department of Finance, the Minderoo Foundation, the Australian Computer Society; the Department of Industry, Science and Resources; Qoria; Microsoft; Adobe; Apple; Atlassian; Macquarie Technology Group; and Salesforce.

▶️ TPDI’s independence is our most valuable asset. Learn more about our Funding Model

TPDi’s latest Tech Policy Spotlight, Tetris for Australia’s Future: Aligning Our National AI Priorities, calls for the Albanese Government to establish a Ministerial AI Taskforce to develop – and immediately execute – a National AI Strategy and Action Plan.

This Tech Policy Spotlight outlines six interconnected priorities, which combined represent a vision for what Australia’s future could look like if we get AI diffusion right. They are People & Planet; Productivity; Trusted Information and Institutions; Regulatory Courage; National Capability; and Global Governance.

Picture a game of Tetris: depending on the skill and strategy of the players, falling pieces may end up at odds or click smoothly into place. Today, these priorities sit across multiple portfolios and stakeholders without a single plan to connect them or articulate a clear vision.

▶️ Learn more about the 6 National Priorities in the full report

At our launch event, we held a live expert debate to stress-test the 6 Priorities in front of a cross-sector audience, demonstrating exactly why a coordinating Ministerial AI Taskforce and National AI Strategy is critical. We closed the debate with a Youth and Technologist perspective, to draw out these cross-cutting dynamics.

Thanks to our expert debaters:

• Dr Sue Keay, Director UNSW AI Institute
• Gisele Kapterian Senior Director for Public Sector Strategy, Salesforce
• Dr Tobias Feakin, Australia’s Inaugural Ambassador for Cyber Affairs & Critical Technology
• Tom Rogers AO Former Australian Electoral Commissioner
• Lizzie O’Shea Chair, Digital Rights Watch
• Sally-Ann Williams Outgoing CEO, Cicada Innovations.
• Minh Hoang eSafety Commissioner’s Youth Advisory Council;
• Dr Ian Oppermann Chair, Commonwealth Data Standards Committee