Australia needs new investment pathways for its AI future
Australia’s AI ambitions rest on building the infrastructure and attracting the capital needed to power a stronger, more connected digital economy.
With the release of Australia’s first National AI Plan this week, the government has made clear that AI will be central to driving productivity, innovation, and skills.
Delivering on that vision means Australia’s legacy of major infrastructure must now extend to the digital realm: its data centres, fibre networks, and energy systems powering AI and cloud services.
The impact of AI is already visible, lifting productivity in logistics, manufacturing and healthcare. Yet further gains will depend on the strength of the infrastructure behind them.
That demand is rising fast. By 2030, connected devices in Australian homes will double, businesses will rely more heavily on digital platforms, and data centre capacity will need to exceed 3.1 GW, requiring $26 billion in capital deployment.
