About the National AI Centre

The National AI Centre (NAIC) is the Australian Government’s lead body helping organisations understand and use AI safely.

We work with businesses to show where AI can add value and how to use it well. Our focus is practical uptake, moving organisations from curiosity about AI to experimenting to value-add use.

NAIC develops and shares clear guidance, tools, templates, practical examples, programs and trusted information that:

• helps organisations see where AI could help their work
• improves understanding of AI including its benefits and risks
• supports the growth of Australian AI businesses and expertise
• promotes responsible AI practices organisations can apply in practice
• highlights how Australian organisations are using AI
• helps connect business to local AI capabilities and solutions  
• supports AI adopt centres to help more small businesses start their AI journey.

NAIC plays a key role in delivering the Australian Government’s National AI Plan.

The Plan sets out how Australia will grow its AI capability, encourage use, and share benefits across the economy.

National AI Plan goals

Capture the opportunity By building smart infrastructure, backing domestic AI capability and attracting global investment.

Spread the benefits Support widespread AI adoption, supporting and training Australian workers, and improved public services.

Keep Australians safe With legislative and regulatory frameworks that mitigate AI harms, while promoting widespread responsible practices and international engagement that upholds Australia’s values.

Lee Hickin leads the National AI Centre with a mission to enable and support Australia’s AI use across businesses, communities and government.

Lee has more than 30 years of experience in the technology industry across leadership, technical, and business roles. Before joining the Australian Government, Lee was the Chief Technology Officer for Microsoft Australia and New Zealand. He also led the Asia region for Microsoft’s global Responsible AI team.

Earlier in his career, Lee held senior technology roles across the UK, Asia and Australia. This included leading the Internet of Things team for Amazon Web Services in Asia Pacific. He was also a CISSP security architect with RSA Security and a software engineer with Tivoli and IBM.

Lee has supported governments around the world as an advisor on AI and technology policy. He has been a member of the Singapore AI Verify Board and a founding member of the NSW AI Assurance Committee.

Lee holds a Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Business and Information Technology from Bournemouth University.