Why It's High Time For Australia To Build Its Own Large Language Model

Prem Naraindas is the Founder and CEO of Katonic.ai . Named one of Australia's Top 100 Innovators and LinkedIn Top Voice 2024.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), Australia finds itself at a critical juncture. As global tech giants continue to dominate the AI space, Australia's need to develop its own large language model (LLM) has never been more pressing. Why is it so crucial for Australia to join the AI race now? 1.



Preserving Digital Sovereignty In an era where data is the new oil, relying solely on foreign AI models puts Australia's digital sovereignty at risk. The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) identifies AI as a critical technology for national security and economic competitiveness, emphasizing the need for countries to develop sovereign capabilities in this area. By creating models trained on Australian data and tailored to our unique context, as opposed to relying on models developed in other countries, we ensure that our national interests are prioritized in the AI revolution.

This approach allows us to maintain control over our digital future and reduce dependence on foreign technologies. 2. Economic Imperative The economic stakes are too high to ignore.

According to a study by AlphaBeta, AI technologies could contribute up to $315 billion to the Australian economy by 2028. This astronomical figure underscores the urgency of developing homegrown AI capabilities. Trump Takes Questions From Garbage Truck As Campaigns Seize On Each Other’s ‘Garbage’ Remarks Trump Dismisses Advisors And Repeats ‘Protect’ Women Line—Says He’ll Do It ‘Whether The Women Like It Or Not’ Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Clues And Answers For Thursday, October 31st By building our own LLM, Australia can capture a larger share of this economic potential.

Instead of being mere consumers of AI technology, we can become producers and innovators, fostering a new wave of AI-driven startups and job creation. 3. Cultural And Linguistic Nuances Global AI models, while impressive, often fall short in understanding the unique aspects of Australian culture and language, which can generate, at worst, incorrect results, but at best, results that do not reflect differences in sentence construction, verb tense and idioms.

An Australian-made LLM can capture the nuances of our diverse linguistic landscape, from Indigenous languages to modern Australian English. This cultural competence is not just about convenience; it's about ensuring that AI systems make fair and accurate decisions in uniquely Australian contexts, from healthcare to legal applications. 4.

Data Privacy And Regulation As concerns about data privacy grow globally, Australia has the opportunity to lead by example. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) reports that 70% of Australians consider protection of personal information to be a major concern ( OAIC, 2023 ). By developing our own LLM, we can ensure it's built from the ground up to comply with Australian privacy laws and ethical standards.

This approach not only builds trust but also gives Australian businesses a competitive edge in an increasingly privacy-conscious global market. 5. National Security Implications In an age where information warfare is a real threat, relying on foreign-controlled AI systems for critical infrastructure and decision-making processes poses significant national security risks.

The Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) has highlighted the importance of "maintaining sovereign capabilities in AI to protect national interests" ( ASD Annual Report, 2023 ). An Australian LLM can be designed with these concerns in mind, ensuring sensitive data and strategic decisions remain under Australian control. 6.

Fostering Local Innovation The development of an Australian LLM isn't just about the end product; it's about building a robust AI ecosystem. Such initiatives can spark collaboration between academia, industry and government. This collaborative approach nurtures local talent, encourages research and development and positions Australia as a hub for AI innovation in the Asia-Pacific region.

The CSIRO's Data61 predicts that fostering local AI innovation could create up to 161,000 new specialized jobs in Australia by 2030 (CSIRO, 2023, note, the link to this study downloads the report). The Path Forward Australia needs a coordinated, national effort to truly compete on the global AI stage. This requires: 1.

Increased government funding for AI research and development 2. Partnerships between universities and tech companies to bridge the gap between research and application 3. A regulatory framework that encourages innovation while protecting Australian interests 4.

Investment in AI education to build a skilled workforce Conclusion The time for Australia to build its own LLM is now. By taking control of our AI future, we can ensure the technology serves Australian interests, reflects our values and contributes to our economic prosperity. Recent initiatives like the Kangaroo LLM project, developed by a consortium of Australian tech companies, like my own, show that Australia has the talent and capability to compete in the global AI race.

Now, it's time to scale up these efforts and make Australian-made AI a national priority. The future of our digital sovereignty, economic competitiveness and technological independence depends on it. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives.

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