Are you a small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) wanting to solve a digital tech challenge but finding it difficult to allocate time and resources? Introducing SummerTech LIVE SummerTech LIVE is a popular program aimed at increasing the digital capability and competitiveness of Victorian small businesses and building the job-ready skills of tech graduates. The program matches digital tech tertiary students and recent graduates with Victorian SMEs to solve digital challenges and deliver impact. Students receive $5,000 for a 10-12 week studentship over the summer break, and the program comes at no cost to businesses. A Mutually Beneficial Experience Students get the opportunity to apply their skills in a real-world setting, gaining an invaluable opportunity to kickstart their careers. All that businesses need to provide is in-kind support—a project, on-the-job mentorship and a work-ready environment. Project Spotlight: Channel Seven meteorologist Jane Bunn is no stranger to the world of weather forecasts. But with rapid advancements in technology, she is always on the lookout for better ways to provide more accurate weather data to farmers and the agriculture industry. Enter Jane’s Weather – a weather platform providing customised and granular weather forecasts to help Australian farmers manage their resources and boost their output. With her business’s strong focus on advanced technology, Jane jumped at the opportunity to participate in the SummerTech LIVE program, where she was paired with ICT students, Devender Kumar from RMIT and Zhi Hern Tom from the University of Melbourne. Read more about this project at https://bit.ly/ConnectionVic_JaneBunn How to apply Applications for the 2023-2024 SummerTech LIVE program close on 11 September 2023. This is a great opportunity for businesses to get help with a digital challenge, and for students to gain beneficial experience on the tools. Don’t miss out. Apply for the SummerTech LIVE Program today: https://bit.ly/summertechlive_sept11closingdate
Digital technology is a transformative force that is supercharging Victoria's economy. The 2022 Victorian ICT and Digital Technology Sector Survey showed that in the past 20 years, the uptake of digital technologies has boosted productivity and lifted the Victorian economy – with a $40 billion boost to Gross State Product (GSP) and creating more than 80,000 additional jobs. A Thriving Sector The 2022 survey showed that Victoria had around 23,000 tech businesses, with the sector generating $116 billion in annual revenue and contributing $33.7 billion to GSP in FY22. Interestingly, over half of Victoria's 271,000 tech employees work in fields outside of ICT and digital technology, highlighting the scale and importance of digital tech adoption across various industries. To see a high-level snapshot of the findings from the 2022 Victorian ICT and Digital Technology Sector Survey. [https://bit.ly/digitechfactsheet2022] Support for growth The Victorian Government is supporting a thriving digital economy, and survey results have informed the key initiatives to support the sector, such as: Digital Jobs: $64 million program to re-train 5,000 mid-career workers with job-ready digital skills. Digital Jobs for Manufacturing: $4.5 million to assist Victorian manufacturing businesses to uplift their employees' digital skills SummerTech LIVE: $3.75 million to give ICT students and recent graduates invaluable on-the-job experience and uplift the digital capabilities of Victorian businesses. Free TAFE: This initiative covers the cost of tuition fees for eligible students and priority courses, including Certificate IV in Cybersecurity and Certificate III in Information Technology. Cremorne Digital Hub: $10 million investment to drive the growth of Victoria’s tech sector and position the Cremorne precinct as a top global destination for innovation and technology. Make Your Voice Heard But what about the future? Your insights can help identify challenges and opportunities for the sector and inform Victorian Government initiatives which support the digital technology sector and digital economy. The 2023 Victorian Digital Technology Sector Survey is open until 18 October 2023; to have your say complete the survey at https://bit.ly/victechsurvey2023.
Are you for, or against, AI? What about in cyber security? Battle lines are drawn, and debaters are ready to make their cases as the DIF2023 Festival gears up for an exciting start. As an event partner, the Australian Information Security Association (AISA) will launch the DIF2023 Festival with a lively debate at Melbourne Connect on Wednesday, 23 August 2023. AI Integration on the Rise A survey conducted by AIIA highlighted the growing significance of AI adoption - 36% of respondents currently use AI in their business, marking a notable surge from the 27% recorded in 2021. With an increasing number of people exploring the possibilities of AI, from creating jokes to complex problem-solving, the debate hinges on whether the cyber security risks associated with AI tools like ChatGPT outweigh their benefits. Clashing Perspectives: Meet the Team Captains of the Debate Image: LinkedIn EJ Wise The Affirmative team, led by EJ Wise, Principal of WiseLaw, a Melbourne law firm established in 2018 that specializes in cyber security law. They will argue that AI chatbots offer businesses many benefits, including round-the-clock customer support, reduced response times, task automation, and human-like customer interaction. Wise is an internationally recognized expert in cyber law and operations, a sought-after speaker and commentator, and has been published in law journals and magazines on topics including cyber law and ethics. Image: LinkedIn Dr Kobi Leins Representing the Negative team is Dr. Kobi Leins (GAICD), an esteemed expert with a vast array of achievements. As an Honorary Senior Fellow of King’s College, London, an Advisory Board Member of the Carnegie AI and Equality Initiative, and a Member of Standards Australia as a technical expert on the International Standards Organisation’s work on AI Standards, Dr. Leins brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the debate. Their background is in administrative law & justice, humanitarian law, human rights law, disarmament, and have worked in two different university faculties of Engineering and Computer Science. The Rules of Engagement The teams have 5 minutes each to present their compelling cases. Then, the debate concludes in closing arguments by the respective team captains. Audience Verdict: Empowering the Spectators The audience will determine the winner by a show of hands. Expert Moderation Ensuring a fair and engaging debate is Akash Mittal, Director of the AISA Board. Conclusion Don't miss this opportunity to be part of this debate at Melbourne Connect. Register today and witness two teams engage in intellectual combat, showcasing the cyber risks and rewards of using AI in Cyber Security. Interested in more Cyber Security events? Check out Women in Cybersecurity: Inspiring Career Journeys and From Aspiring to Inspiring: Journeys of Women in Security. Both these events are hosted by the Australian Women in Security Network as part of the DIF2023 Festival.
What is digital agriculture? Digital agriculture is the use of digital technology to integrate agricultural production from the paddock to the consumer. These technologies can provide the agricultural industry with tools and information to make more informed decisions and improve productivity. Victoria’s farmers contribute one third of Australia’s food and fibre exports. Demand for Victorian-produced food is set to grow as the world’s population increases from seven billion to almost 10 billion over the next 30 years. A growing global middle class, particularly among our neighbours in Asia, is further bolstering the prospects for food and fibre export growth. While demand is set to grow, farmers are facing the challenges of a changing climate: increased temperatures changes in rainfall patterns more frequent extreme weather events reductions in water availability. In this environment, farmers must continue to innovate to maintain and improve productivity to meet demand. Digital technologies have the potential to provide farmers with the information and ability to meet these challenges and seize opportunities for growth. But it is not just about farmers. Consumers both at home and abroad are becoming more informed about the products they buy. They demand high quality and sustainably produced food and fibre and want to know more about where their products come from. Digital technologies can enable improved traceability of agricultural products, providing peace of mind for consumers and increased value for farmers. View transcript Examples of digital agriculture Opportunities to lift productivity in the agricultural sector lie in new and emerging technologies such as: robotics new packaging material biotechnology and digital and wireless technologies for data measurement weather monitoring animal monitoring geospatial monitoring precision application of water and chemicals. Robotics Robotics are being introduced to the dairy, poultry and beef farming industries. Applications include: autonomous feeding and milking egg collection and sorting autonomous cleaning. These technologies are helping early detection and treatment of animal health issues. Satellite imagery In cropping, less waste and higher yields are being generated by equipment programmed for variable seeding rates and depths based on soil property and moisture data, derived from satellite imagery. Digital infra-red light and heat sensors combined with geographic information system technology in drones are used measure paddock crop health to inform decisions about: irrigation pest management fertiliser applications harvesting. Sensors and electronic identification Integrated digital animal health biometric sensors and electronic identification devices enable farmers to rapidly respond to cases of animal stress or disease, helping to increase livestock production and improve livestock health. Victoria is Australia's largest producer of food and fibre products, and these make up over half of Victoria's total product exports. Agriculture Victoria Research delivers innovation for economic growth in Victoria’s agriculture through leading science and strong science capacity. Find out more here >>
After two years of engaging online audiences across the globe, Melbourne International Games Week will return to Melbourne from 1-9 October 2022. Now in its 8th year, Melbourne International Games Week (MIGW) is the biggest games event in Asia Pacific and a fixture on the global calendar, connecting games, technology and culture, with a broad program for industry, educators, and game enthusiasts alike. Over 50% of the digital games industry is in Victoria, making it the games epicentre of Australia. Each year MIGW brings together homegrown and international industry to showcase, celebrate and build capability and connections. Melbourne International Games Week celebrates Victoria’s thriving games industry, showcases our local talent and capability, and connects industry leaders from across the globe. MIGW’s full 2022 program will be announced in August. Image: Marc-O-Matic PAX Aus back live This unmissable week of games culminates with PAX Aus (7-9 October 2022), the largest games event in Australia and an annual destination for enthusiasts and industry since its arrival in Melbourne in 2013. With games-related events taking place across Melbourne and expanding further into regional areas, this year’s program will again celebrate the fun and fantasy of games, as well as exploring how games are being created for a range of diverse sectors, including health, education, defence, mental health and broader social connection. Music and its important role in games is also a growing area of interest, alongside games that grow industry and business. In recent years, the addition of eSports, tabletop board games and role-playing games to the program has ensured that the many facets of games can be enjoyed by participants of all ages. Games as a social connector The power of games as a social connector has been amplified over the past two years. A recent IGEA survey reveals that 74% of respondents say games connect people, while 80% say games improve mental health. With the average age of a player now 35 years, it is easy to see how games are a big part of family life, and second only to streaming TV and movies. See more stats below and in the report here >>. Image: Digital Australia 2022. Eveleigh, IGEA. Brand, J. E., & Jervis, J. (2021). Melbourne International Games Week is an initiative of the Victorian Government, delivered by Creative Victoria in partnership with VicScreen (formerly Film Victoria), ACMI and IGEA. Stay informed and connect via @GamesWeekMelbs Originally published: March 8 2022