For me, this partnership is about something much bigger than AI itself. It's about making sure people aren't left behind as technology changes, and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to build the knowledge and confidence they need to participate in an increasingly digital world.
Over the past few years, much of the conversation about AI has focused on what the technology can do. New models. New products. New breakthroughs.
But for most Australians, the more important questions are much simpler:
What does this mean for me?
And where do I start?
AI is becoming part of how people access information, engage with organisations and get things done, whether they realise it or not. That makes understanding the basics an increasingly important life skill.
The numbers highlight the challenge. One in five Australians are digitally excluded. One in four report struggling to use AI tools and applications. (Good Things Australia)
We also know confidence with AI isn't evenly distributed. Some people are experimenting with new tools every day. Others are still figuring out what AI is, whether they can trust it and whether it has any relevance to their lives.
Building digital confidence is something Good Things Australia has been doing for years. That's why this partnership makes sense.
Together, we'll help more Australians understand AI, explore its potential and make informed decisions about how it can work for them.
The AI for Good program will also support Australian-first research led by Swinburne University of Technology into how AI literacy can best be delivered through local communities. Alongside practical learning resources, the research will help build a stronger evidence base for what works when it comes to developing AI literacy and confidence across Australia.
It's a practical example of turning national policy into local action.
As Good Things Australia CEO Jess Wilson puts it:
"With the support of the National AI Centre, we are taking a significant step forward in our mission to ensure no one is left behind as technology rapidly changes."
Good Things Australia's model works because it meets people where they are, by working through local communities and trusted support networks.
If you're not familiar with Good Things Australia, I encourage you to take a few minutes to learn more about the organisation and the impact it is having in communities across the country.