DIF2020 Pearcey Institute Roundtable

Australia as a Technology led Economy after the 2020 Pandemic: Enabling a Resilient Future

The 2020 Pandemic and resulting economic shutdown is one of the greatest challenges that our government and society have faced in many generations; we must address them together if we are to be successful.

The Pearcey Institute hosted a roundtable discussion as part of the Victorian Digital Innovation Festival that asks;

“Have we been inadvertently presented with an opportunity to be bold and dramatically make changes to the way we adopt technologies that facilitate new ways of working and socialising?”

“How do we seize this moment to measure and force the continued engagement of new technology to build a stronger Australia?”

'“Can we form new levels of partnering & collaboration between Industry, Academia and Government to capitalise on these opportunities and move Australia into the top ten global technology-based economies?”

Our Panel

• Bronwyn Le Grice, CEO ANDHealth
• Jess Perrin, Head of Social Innovation and Digital Inclusion
• Dr Ian Oppermann, Chief Data Scientist and CEO of the NSW Data Analytics Centre.
• Adjunct Prof. Stephen Alexander, Hult International Business School
• Prof. Malcolm Thatcher PhD GAICD, QUT Business School Prof. 
• Stewart Marshall, Mr SaaS
• Matthew Newman, Applied AI Ethics & Founder TechInnocens
• Ian Dixon, Managing Director, DIXON Partnering Solutions

Setting the scene...

We have witnessed the adoption of new working methods and social structures underpinned by various technologies with these changes forced upon us rapidly; this has become the most compelling event for the security of our economy, let alone our society through the speed of adoption.

In earlier times Australia has been slow to adopt these changes widely; Telehealth, Digital & Contactless Payments, Online Shopping, Remote Working, Distance Learning, Online Entertainment, Robotics & Drones, 3D Printing, Supply Chain 4.0, 5G & ICT.

Transformation is not for the faint-hearted; it requires several key drivers to occur during normal times to force change and engage people, business and the community. Everyone must change to make things work, not just someone else other than me! Forced change without a clear understanding of the value or consequences can create other issues that impact or slow adoption.

World-wide surveys consistently rank Australia outside of the top 10 countries in its technology adoption, innovation and influence; all contrary to the actual capability that lives within pockets of Australian society and historic capability.

* This event was recorded on September 2, 2020