The election campaign ignored AI. It's a dangerous blind spot.
Australia’s leaders lack a coherent approach to AI, a risky move that could leave the nation’s economy, startups and workforce unprepared for a changed future.
During the federal election campaign, not once did I hear a serious mention of artificial intelligence — not from the major parties, not in televised debates. While there were plenty of AI-generated memes on social media, there was nothing in the policy platforms that are supposed to shape the next chapter of our country’s future.
This silence matters. It’s not just a political oversight. It’s a signal that our leaders are not seriously engaging with the biggest force reshaping the global economy. As a startup founder, AI has already become fundamental to my business. I see daily how fast this technology is moving, and how much we’re already falling behind.
When I pointed out recently that the federal budget contained zero references to AI across its 357 pages, the response wasn’t shock — it was resignation. Many in the tech and startup community already feel what that absence confirms: our government is not prepared, and it’s not preparing us.
This is a problem of incentives. Policy in an election season is driven by what delivers votes or plugs a budget gap. AI, by contrast, requires long-term thinking. It’s about laying the groundwork for national competitiveness, digital resilience and economic transformation. That kind of thinking rarely wins headlines, but without it, we’re adrift.
