South Australian treasurer Stephen Mullighan announces new $28m AI program in state budget
The coming AI tidal wave is beginning to hit into Australia's public sector, with the South Australian government announcing a new $28m program to embed the technological revolution into policing, healthcare, finance and law.
Treasurer Stephen Mullighan delivered the surprise allocation in the state's 2025-26 budget, with the funding designed to 'maximise on the benefits and promote growing the use of AI applications across the South Australian public sector'.
The budget measures claim the program will initially prioritise policing and healthcare with a set of 'proof of value trials'.
'Through targeted proof of value trials in priority areas such as health care and policing, this funding will provide support for broad applications across government and allow multiple use cases to be developed on trusted foundational technologies, with appropriate governance and alignment to the investment principles of the digital investment fund,' the document says.
'The health sector is a priority for funding consideration, as global evidence shows that integrating AI in specific areas of healthcare can reduce costs and improve operational efficiency, allowing healthcare professionals to spend more time on clinical care.'
In policing, the program will look to enhance efficiency and safety for officers.
'AI can be used to support real-time decision making to help allocate resources effectively, increase officer and public safety and reduce administrative burden on officers, freeing up time for more value-added work,' the document states.
'Other areas considered for priority funding may include allied health, social work and legal and financial areas of the public sector.'
The program, which sits within the government's broader digital investment fund, is funded from 2025-26 through to 2028-29, with an estimated $4.6m in yearly operating expenses and $2.4m in yearly investing expenses.
Twenty full time jobs are expected to deliver the program over the period.
South Australia's explicit support for AI comes as all jurisdictions grapple with the promise and peril of AI.
In February this year, Queensland Information Commissioner Joanne Kummrow warned taking a 'wait and see' approach to AI risked the public sector 'falling behind understanding and responsibly engaging with its capabilities and challenges'.
'While AI shows promise as a powerful tool capable of delivering improved public services, agencies need to take the 'right path' by mitigating privacy and security risks and ensuring its ethical and transparent use, rather than taking the 'fast lane' without due regard to the necessary guard rails and protection of citizens' personal information,' she posted to the website of the Office of the Information Commissioner.
The NSW government, meanwhile, funnelled more than $2.7m in grants to 16 councils in mid 2024 to trial AI in local planning systems.
The trials were designed to 'improve the development application process for all users, including homeowners, councils and developers'.
Outside of government, South Australia will also deploy AI to develop a fuller picture of its mineral wealth, with a particular focus on copper production in the giant Gawler Craton, which sprawls across the central portion of the state.
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