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Supporting decision advantage with the Defence AI Centre

Project summary

The 2024 National Defence Strategy emphasises how critical it is for Defence to adopt emerging technologies to achieve Decision Advantage. Decision Advantage is the ability to gather, process, and act on information faster and more effectively than potential adversaries.

The Defence Artificial Intelligence Centre was established in July 2024 to coordinate and accelerate Defence’s adoption of AI. It enables Defence to manage risks, embrace opportunities and support the uptake of AI, aligned with Australian Government and Defence priorities.

 

A photograph of Dr Paul Robards AM, Chief Data Integration Officer, giving a speech to the audience at the Defence AI Centre launch event.

Dr Paul Robards AM, Chief Data Integration Officer, launching the Defence AI Centre in 2024.
Image: Defence

How AI contributes to the project

The Defence AI Centre uses a ‘hub and spoke’ model, to enable central hub coordination while allowing for decentralised development and deployment of AI across military and corporate functions. Benefits include better coordination and sponsorship of Defence efforts resulting in workforce savings, enhanced user experiences, and better decisions, faster, through decision advantage.

The centre has brought together key resources and stakeholders to deliver Defence’s AI Strategy, as well as policy and governance tools. By engaging with exemplar projects and training initiatives, the Defence AI Centre facilitates the development of AI literacy by providing practical knowledge of AI applications. This enables personnel to understand the limitations, governance and risks associated with AI and fosters a culture of informed AI adoption and responsible use within Defence.

Outcomes and next steps

The Defence Data and Artificial Intelligence Board has been established to govern Defence’s data and AI capabilities, including centre outcomes. In its first year, the Defence AI Centre has achieved tangible outcomes supporting Defence’s mission.

The centre has supported the delivery of:

  • a Defence AI Playbook
  • a Defence AI Register
  • accountable-officer training for senior leaders
  • Defence user training
  • an AI Standards Profile.

A Defence AI Strategy and a ‘Defence Responsible Use of AI Policy’ have been drafted to address the department’s unique challenges.

Future activities for the Defence AI Centre include building a scalable AI environment, delivering further workforce training and development opportunities and establishing an AI innovation network.

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Acknowledgement of Country

The APSC acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.