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The future of AI is boring, and that’s the point

AI’s biggest productivity gains may come not from moonshots, but from helping small businesses save time, cut waste and compete.

Andrew Leigh Andrew is the assistant minister for productivity, competition, charities and Treasury.
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The AI revolution must work for Australia’s small businesses, writes Andrew Leigh. AAP Photo/Mick Tsikas.

Too much of the artificial intelligence debate has been conducted as though the only people who count are big technology firms, big consulting firms and big corporates with procurement teams large enough to form their own netball comp.

But Australia’s economy is built in workshops, clinics, studios, restaurants, building sites, local accountancy practices, family businesses, exporters, repair shops and spare bedrooms.

For productivity, a big question is whether AI helps a small business owner quote faster, roster better, market more cheaply, serve customers more personally, detect errors sooner, or spend fewer Sunday nights doing paperwork while the rest of the household enjoys something better than MYOB.

For a small business, the killer app may look like getting a decent night’s sleep.

Ideas is where we publish opinion and analysis from external contributors on the most important topics in the new economy.