Latest news with #TechCouncil
SBS Australia
a day ago
- Business
- SBS Australia
Tech Council of Australia want copyright laws "overhauled" so AI models can mine Aussie data
Tech Council of Australia want copyright laws "overhauled" so AI models can mine Aussie data Published 6 August 2025, 10:02 am The federal Government has been advised against "over-regulating" AI. A new report is talking up significant economic benefit, but also admitting human jobs will be lost. The opposition says there needs to be stronger guardrails for its use, accusing tech companies of stealing Australian content.
Technical.ly
3 days ago
- Business
- Technical.ly
The latest issue of Tech Council of Delaware's magazine highlights its Tech Ecosystem Conferences
The Tech Council of Delaware, in collaboration with is excited to present the Tech Council Chronicle. This storytelling publication offers an overarching narrative about Delaware's tech ecosystem, tech workforce and status as a tech hub. The online magazines are also a helpful resource for stakeholders both across the state and nationally, with plenty of useful information about resources, career tools and training programs available across the First State. The fourth edition of the Tech Council Chronicle is a must-read for anyone plugged into Delaware's tech scene. This special issue dives into the growth and impact of our annual Tech Ecosystem Conferences — including the award-winning 2024 event that just snagged a TECNA Innovation Award for Major Impact! From special moments to powerful partnerships and community highlights, this edition celebrates the energy, momentum, and connections fueling Delaware's tech community. The previous editions of the Tech Council Chronicle, published in 2024, can be found here and here. Tech Council website and its page on
The Australian
30-07-2025
- Business
- The Australian
The Australian tech alliance uniting the likes of Google and Microsoft
The National Security Tech Alliance brings together global giants and rising local players Focus areas include AI, quantum computing, secure comms and advanced drone systems One of the founding members is Australian drone mapping platform Aerologix Special Report : Australia is sharpening its focus on sovereign technology as global security risks escalate and digital warfare becomes more sophisticated. That ambition has materialised in the form of the National Security Tech Alliance (NSTA) – a new initiative led by the Tech Council of Australia and backed by major government and industry partners. Launched this week, the alliance brings together some of the world's most influential technology leaders including Microsoft, Google, Thales, CyberCX, Nokia and the CSIRO. Its goal is to create a new model for collaboration that boosts national resilience and strengthens Australia's capability across critical technologies. Key areas of focus include artificial intelligence, drone systems, quantum computing, cybersecurity and secure communications infrastructure – all deemed essential to the country's defence readiness over the next decade. According to the Tech Council, the NSTA is designed to ensure Australia remains competitive and secure in the face of growing geopolitical uncertainty and the rise of software-defined, autonomous defence systems. The move reflects a broader global trend. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, now an advisor to the US Department of Defense, has called for a rapid shift in defence procurement toward systems that are "affordable, autonomous, and abundant". That shift is opening up opportunities for agile tech companies capable of building dual-use technologies that serve both civil and defence applications. Australia, which has long relied on overseas defence procurement and legacy systems, is now moving to bolster its local innovation capacity. The NSTA is a key pillar in that transition, providing a framework for research collaboration, sovereign manufacturing, policy influence and reduced reliance on foreign providers. Among the alliance's founding members is Aerologix, one of Australia's fastest-growing drone and geospatial intelligence companies. Founded in 2019 by former Qantas pilot Tom Caska, Aerologix has rapidly built a strong reputation as a trusted provider of aerial data and mapping services. The company operates a network of more than 40,000 certified drone pilots, delivering real-time aerial insights for infrastructure, utilities and emergency services across the country. Its cloud-based platform, paired with patented AI mapping technology, gives clients critical data for faster and smarter decision making. 'We're proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with the nation's top innovators to help secure Australia's digital and physical frontiers,' said founder and CEO Tom Caska. 'Being part of the NSTA confirms Aerologix's role in building sovereign capability through advanced air mobility and geospatial AI.' Aerologix's appointment reflects the increasing importance of flexible, scalable and homegrown platforms in the future of defence and emergency response. 'The defence landscape is changing fast,' said Caska. 'Australia cannot afford to rely only on legacy systems. We need agile, homegrown tech that can respond quickly. Aerologix is proof that we can build world-class solutions locally, and the NSTA is the right vehicle to support that.' Aerologix continues to scale rapidly through major technology alliances. The company recently partnered with Soar to build the world's largest digital atlas of drone-captured imagery and joined forces with Mappa, an emerging leader in AI-powered mapping, to deliver next-gen aerial intelligence to clients in infrastructure, energy and public safety. This article was developed in collaboration with Aerologix, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing. This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions. Sponsored Challenger Gold is on track to deliver early cashflow from its Hualilan project as Austral Gold prepares to commission its refurbished Casposo plant. Sponsored Nordic Resources' drilling will target shallow extensions to gold mineralisation and test deeper anomalies its Kopsa project in Finland.
West Australian
30-07-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Atlassian co-founder Scott Farquhar urges Australia to embrace AI as firm strips 150 jobs
One of Australia's first tech billionaires has called for the nation to become the data centre capital of the Asia-Pacific in the global artificial intelligence race, just hours after the software firm he helped found sacked 150 employees to replace them with AI. Atlassian co-founder Scott Farquhar said individuals, companies and countries needed to embrace AI or risk falling behind, linking the technology as key to lifting lagging productivity. He envisaged Australia hosting 'digital embassies' where foreign nations could store their sensitive government data on our soil — but under their own foreign laws. 'Why host your foreign data in any other country when you could host it in Australia with cheaper power, faster build times under the laws of your own country,' he suggested, in a speech to the National Press Club. 'We could be the provider of choice for every government in the region and for every business that needs a Southeast Asian data centre.' Mr Farquhar's tech push on Wednesday came after Atlassian chief executive Mike Cannon Brookes told employees they were being replaced with artificial intelligence. When asked about the sackings Mr Farquhar —who stepped down as joint-chief executive of Atlassian in September but remains on the board — said job changes as a result of increased AI uptake across the sector was natural and shake ups at Atlassian occurred on a 'regular basis'. Mr Cannon-Brookes told the discarded workers in a video message rather than face-to-face just hours before attending the address to support Mr Farquhar. During his address Mr Farquhar, who is chair of the Tech Council, said Australia has significant advantages for AI development — including abundant land and energy potential, a strong legal system and strategic location. However, he brushed aside security concerns over Australia collaborating with China on AI, saying he wasn't a national security expert and that the issue was more complex. 'I'm not an expert on national security. I do believe that those things are very nuanced conversations. I think it's clear that our highest security partner is the United States, and our largest trading partner is China,' Mr Farquhar said He said the Australian government and tech firms should collaborate in embracing AI technologies, to progress the speed of technology rather than bureaucracy. Adding that if Australian businesses 'simply adopted existing AI tools, we'd see a major productivity lift'. 'Research, by the Tech Council that I'm chair of, shows this could add up to $115 billion a year, in addition to our economy by 2030,' he said. He called on unions to help support workers who lose their jobs through AI take up, by supporting new six to four month 'tech trade digital apprenticeships'. He described them as short, practical qualifications to get people ready for high demand industries like data centre construction and battery installation, adding they could be stepping stone modulus to full trades. Mr Farquhar also flagged copyright law reform as a key area for the Government to tackle. 'We need to make changes to our copyright laws. Australia's copyright laws are out of sync with the rest of the world,' he said. 'While the USA and Europe have exemptions for fair use, for text and data mining, and the Australian Law Commission in 2014 recommended changes, and Australian Productivity Commission in 2016 recommended changes. 'We remain an outlier when it comes to copyright. He called on the Attorney General Michelle Rowland to 'urgently amend' the Copyright Act to 'look at fair use and text and data mining exceptions'. He said changing the Act could unlock billions of dollars of foreign investment in Australia. 'This is a barrier to AI companies who want to train or host their models in Australia, and this is even a barrier to Australian born companies who want to build our models here.' In April last year, Mr Farquhar had announced his resignation as joint chief executive of Atlassian before officially stepping down in September 2024.
Technical.ly
11-07-2025
- Business
- Technical.ly
Delaware conference builds confidence and offers access to tech industry
If you're a young adult looking to work in technology, Delaware is a great place to be. That was the message at the About That Life Tech Ecosystem Conference, held May 20, 2025, at Wilmington University in New Castle. 'This is your warm welcome into the tech industry,' said Zakiyyah Ali, executive director of the Tech Council of Delaware, as she kicked off the 2025 convening. Hosted by the Tech Council of Delaware and sponsored by JPMorganChase, the third annual event brought together young adults from underrepresented backgrounds for a day of workshops, speakers, networking and career exposure. Attendees were encouraged to see themselves as valuable members of the tech community, then given the tools to start building that future. Author and speaker Christopher 'CJ' Gross asked participants to name how their ideal futures would make them feel. Responses like 'confident,' 'secure,' and 'happy' lit up the room, affirming that this wasn't only talk, but a day built around real growth and momentum. Many attendees saw the world of tech open up for them as they experienced the day's events. 'Anything is possible if you put your mind to it… there are more people you can rely on and get help from,' said Omar A. Noor, aspiring tech professional member of the Council. Some attendees clearly interested in a tech path tapped new opportunities, like Bridget Owusu. She spotted a mentorship sign from Holmes Smith Consulting, asked to connect with founder Pat Smith, and within minutes expanded her network. She later found out the Tech Council had already arranged two months of free coaching. The event reflected the Tech Council's focus on action, intentional content and connecting young people with real opportunities to help them grow into future technologists. How past conferences set the stage The previous two Tech Ecosystem Conferences laid critical groundwork for what became 2025's breakthrough event for young adults. The inaugural 2023 gathering at the Westin Wilmington marked the first time Delaware's tech ecosystem committees convened under one roof. With sessions on workforce partnerships, inclusive tech talent pipelines and defining Delaware's tech identity, the event was all about alignment, intentionality and strategy. It served to strengthen collaboration across member organizations. By 2024, the second annual event opened its doors beyond committees to welcome engagement with key stakeholders leading other tech initiatives, including strategic partners like CompTIA and General Assembly. The two-day conference featured a Tech Startup Symposium, Black Men Talk Tech panel discussion, future-focused AI sessions and the unveiling of the Council's three-year strategic plan as it prepared to exit its Rodel incubation. The evolution from coalition-building to ecosystem development led directly to 2025's About That Life Tech Conference. What began as strategic conversations and organizational partnerships actualized into real impact on Delaware talent. The ongoing conferences have not only built a layered foundation, these events cultivated relationships within the tech community. Take Whitney Akinola, founder of Future Proof Consulting and a past conference attendee. Akinola moved from presenting as a startup founder to moderating this year's panel of young professionals, and in the meantime has grown her Tech Council involvement from Current Tech Professional to Corporate member. What made this event different Yes, the speakers were engaging and the food was great, but what truly set the conference apart was its commitment to meeting young adults where they are and facilitating connections to foster professional network development. And all this after just a few short years of strategy setting. Workshops like 'Tech Connect: Step Your Tech Game Up,' 'Decision-Making 101: Adulting Made Easy,' and 'Financial Literacy: Securing the Bag' highlighted the demand for real-world guidance. From conflict resolution to LinkedIn headshots, every activity was crafted to instill confidence and clarity. Attendees shared the messages that resonated with them most: 'Your decisions make your whole life,' said young adult Kayne Wilson. A suite of community partners rounded out a holistic support system in their resource booths. Still, participants made it clear they were still hungry for more practical skills: 'They really want to know, how do we get there, and how do we negotiate?' said Jennifer Thompkins of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League, who co-facilitated the 'Self-Advocacy: Speak Up for Yourself' workshop. With Delaware's unique market, additional workshops on negotiation, networking, branding/LinkedIn and financial literacy could build on this hunger and further grow the Tech Council community's impact on aspiring tech professionals. Showing up matters Smith, the career coaching partner, reminded attendees that sometimes it's the baby steps that hold back progress. The Tech Council's post-conference Career Planning Support & Coaching resource provides the structure and mentorship to assist young people with moving from interest to action. It's these small nudges, like enrolling in a tech training program, that kickstart the journey. Tia Jones, who led a workshop on conflict resolution, spoke to the value of visibility and support: 'Many people trying to get into corporate think they're the only ones facing challenges,' Jones said. 'We need to meet people where they are and help them along the way.' Tech Council board member and program officer at Longwood Foundation Adara Scholl called on employers to do more: 'We're going to keep losing businesses who leave the state simply because they can't find talent. That's so unfair to youth who did the right thing but just didn't know about the opportunity.' Employers reward initiative During the Employers Talk Tech panel discussion, leaders from JPMorganChase, M&T Bank, WSFS Bank and Akkodis Group offered an honest look at what makes early-career talent stand out. 'While you're looking, keep your skillset relevant. We are looking for the energy, the drive, the motivation — those who take the initiative,' said Dan Burkhart, technical recruiting manager at JPMorganChase. Other employers echoed this sentiment. 'It's those that we see stretching themselves, that extra curiosity,' said Chris Frahme, tech team lead at M&T Bank. 'We're looking for individuals that have the aptitude,' said Robert Eastwood of WSFS Bank. 'Don't stop your education once you've graduated…we don't know how to mold you unless you come with some skillsets,' said Matthew Sullivan from Akkodis. 'This is a channel that people need to leverage. We may be looking for talent and they're right in front of us!' said Jones. …And initiative gets results When it comes to breaking into tech, showing initiative can outshine extensive job experience. In the 'Tech It from Us: We've Been Where You Are' panel discussion, moderator Akinola praised the panelists for their focus, learning, and hustle — from cold-messaging CEOs to learning AI independently. Jayden Worthington spoke on the 'Tech It from Us' panel about how he landed his role through a direct message on LinkedIn after applying to hundreds of jobs. Panelist Jacqueline Means, founder of Girls Empowerment STEM Initiative, took the reins of her degree program from pre-med to marketing and management information systems (MIS), while Nahshon Little founded an AI training company with self-taught methods. Coming to the conference is a show of initiative itself. 'Economic mobility is achievable,' Tech Council Executive Director Ali reminded young talent. 'Don't squander the opportunities right in front of you.' All jobs are tech jobs Anyone who wants to get into tech has the tools to do it, and there's no part of Delaware's workforce that doesn't touch tech. The Tech Council's board of directors itself has cross-industry representation, including leaders from nonprofit and consulting. 'The board isn't made up of just 'techies.' That diversity shows young people that they belong here,' said Scholl, Tech Council board member. 'Tech is a lot more horizontal now,' said Stephanie Eldridge, CEO of coding academy Code Differently. Creativity and communication are crucial, and low-code tools mean tech is even closer in reach to career seekers. Growing Delaware as a tech hub Deon Gordon, President & CEO of TechBirmingham, traveled to the event to participate in the fireside chat and showcase what Delaware could become. He's expanded his tech council from workforce development into advocacy while growing tech ecosystems in multiple cities. 'There's a real dedication to Delaware as a tech hub. The Council touches policy, small businesses, workforce development. It's the state's secret weapon,' said Scholl. 'It takes a tech village like ours…we have to pay it forward for the next tech generation,' said Ali. The About That Life conference was a launchpad. For young adults, it brought tech careers closer. For employers, it showed how connection builds future pipelines. For all, it proved mobility starts with support and a little bravery. 'Everybody should know about the Tech Council. If you're in tech and you live here, you should know about it,' said Akinola. What you can do next If you're an employer, educator, or community partner: get involved now. Schools and youth programs: Connect with the council, foster students' awareness and prepare them for tech careers. Corporate partners: Become a sponsor AND show up, get involved and stay connected. Organizations: Spread the word of the council in Delaware communities. Investors: Consider providing funding. 'If you want quality professionals, you have to develop them early. Fund the Council, and you're funding your own workforce,' said Scholl.
