2023 was the year that artificial intelligence broke into the mainstream, with global leaders like OpenAI, Microsoft and Google capturing the imagination of consumers with new generative AI products.
But AI systems have benefited from decades of steady advances, particularly with major developments in natural language processing in recent years, creating a vibrant ecosystem of companies adressing
Some of those local companies are in the running for the AI Industry Pioneer award – the only new category in this year’s InnovationAus Awards for Excellence, and one that will be hotly contested.
The award, sponsored by the National AI Centre, will showcase the Australian companies at the forefront of AI, developing novel tools and technologies to solve a diverse set of challenges.
The CSIRO, which until recently housed the National AI Centre, has previously estimated that Australian spending on AI systems will grow 24.4 per cent year-on-year to reach more than $3.6 billion in 2025.
The finalists in this category are:
- DroneShield (also a finalist in the Translation Hero category)
- SAPHI
- Baymatob
- MyLot (also a finalist in the GovTech category)
- EncompaaS
- Fivecast (also a finalist in the Defence, Dual-Use Tech and Space category)
The InnovationAus Awards for Excellence 2024 winners and finalists will be celebrated at a black-tie gala dinner at The Venue Alexandria in Sydney on Wednesday October 30. You can book your tickets here.
Behind the finalists:
DroneShield, the Australian defence technology company best known for its counter-drone DroneGun, is placing increasing focus on Radio Frequency sensing, AI and machine learning for its autonomous drone detection capabilities.
SAPHI develops cutting-edge technologies, such as AI imaging for mining, government and manufacturing applications, and edge control systems that streamline operations and AI processing.
Baymatob is an AI-guided foetal and diagnostics company that is committed to improving the health outcomes of mothers and babies. Its Oli Maternal and Fetal Health Platform was also a finalist in last year’s awards.
MyLot is a Melbourne-based company that has developed an AI-driven platform that is redefining the planning and development application process for Australian councils and applicants.
EncompaaS is a Sydney-based company that has developed a platform to find, enrich and organise structured, unstructured and semi-structed data using AI, helping highly regulated enterprises to mitigate compliance and privacy risks.
Fivecast is an Adelaide-based company that develops solutions capable of sifting through unprecedented amounts of digital data. Its Matrix solution builds on its open source intelligence solution, Onyx, for automated, ongoing background checks.
Since their inception in 2021, the InnovationAus Awards for Excellence continue to spotlight pioneering companies that are driving innovation within this all-important category.
The judging criteria centres on five focus areas that are vital to success: commercial success; translation of intellectual property; the company’s impact on its sector; non-R&D innovations; and applied technologies.
Now in its fourth year, the 2024 awards are supported by the Australian Computer Society, Investment NSW, Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Technology Council of Australia, TechnologyOne, National Artificial Intelligence Centre, CSIRO’s ON Innovation Program, Reason Group, Q-CTRL, University of New South Wales, and IP Australia.
If you are looking for brand exposure in front of Australia’s tech ecosystem, purchase a table of 10 for the InnovationAus 2024 Awards for Excellence and have your logo displayed on screens across the venue and in the event program as a table sponsor.
Protecting your great ideas with intellectual property (IP) rights can lead to lasting benefits for your growing business. IP refers to creations of the mind, such as a brand, logo, invention, design or artistic work. Head to the IP Australia website to find out more about IP, and how it might help your business.
Do you know more? Contact James Riley via Email.