Emerging technology and innovation

Influencing how Australia develops and uses emerging technology, from precision agriculture to AI to quantum computing.

Our focus

The Academy brings trusted and evidence-based perspectives to shape how Australia develops, advances and uses emerging technology for the benefit of all.

Our roadmaps and proposals to steer research, upgrade research infrastructure are critical in driving innovation, alongside strategies to integrate emerging technology across sectors, including defence, environment and energy. We lead national conversations on the impacts of new technology and inform policy with rigorous evidence-based advice.

Related submissions

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State or Territory Government

Submission – Inquiry into data centres

If data centres are to continue to be built on Australian shores, using Australian power, water and land, they must be delivering value back into the communities they are joining.

Published on 09 April 2026

State or Territory Government

Submission – Queensland's Science and Innovation Strategy

The Academy recommends that Queensland’s Science and Innovation Strategy prioritises fundamental research, workforce development, First Nations knowledge, and mission-driven collaboration to enhance long-term innovation, resilience and global competitiveness.

Published on 01 April 2026

State or Territory Government

Submission – Inquiry into clean indoor air

The Academy highlights the health, economic and safety consequences of poor indoor air and recommends enforceable standards, monitoring, ventilation and policy action to improve indoor air quality.

Published on 28 January 2026

Commonwealth Government

Submission – National Research Infrastructure Roadmap

The Academy recommends long‑term supercomputing and data investment, coordinated research collections, and a workforce strategy anchored in stable funding and international partnerships.

Published on 08 December 2025

Commonwealth Government

Submission—Possible association to Horizon Europe

On 24 October 2025, the Academy made a submission on the possible association to Horizon Europe.

Published on 24 October 2025

Related publications

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Is Australian science ready for AI?

Exploring how artificial intelligence will reshape the policies, institutions, legal frameworks, funding models and cultural norms that underpin our national science ecosystem.

Published on 09 December 2025

Australian science, Australia's future: Science 2035

An investigation into Australia's future science capability needs reveals eight key areas with projected gaps.

Published on 04 September 2025

Australian science, Australia's future: Science 2035. Where do we want to be?

Bringing Australia's supercomputing up to speed

The Academy calls for strategic planning and targeted investment in next-generation high-performance computing and data (HPCD) infrastructure, including exascale computing – an essential capability of all modern economies.

Published on 18 February 2025

Bringing Australia's supercomputing up to speed – Facts sheet

The future computing needs of the Australian science sector

A brief on the future computing needs of the Australian science sector, calling for for a national strategy backed by at least one exascale capability.

Published on 20 February 2024

Bioscience 2030: educating Australia’s future bioscientists

Opportunities, challenges and essential skills for bioscience education in the next decade.

Published on 08 December 2023

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International grants supercharging Australian research collaborations

Australian researchers tackling big challenges have received a total of $6.2 million in grants to deepen partnerships with international collaborators across priority technology areas.

05 May 2026

A woman sits on a couch surrounded by hands proffering laptops, phones, tablets and a megaphone. She appears overwhelmed and has her hands covering her ears.

The science of resilience: New insights on tackling mis- and disinformation

Investing in our physical and mental health is also an investment in our collective ability to resist harmful information, a new report reveals.

02 April 2026

Australian scientist’s work on trade and climate change takes centre stage

Australia’s National Champion Associate Professor Arunima Mali was named one of three international champions of the 2025 Frontiers Planet Prize, a prestigious award recognising research with the most promising potential to keep humanity within planetary boundaries.

23 April 2025

Academy honours pioneering breast cancer researchers with prestigious awards

Two distinguished researchers have been recognised with 2025 Academy honorific awards for their groundbreaking contributions to breast cancer research.

16 April 2025

Leading minds and emerging stars: Academy announces recipients of prestigious honorific awards

The Australian Academy of Science today recognises 22 scientists from across the country in its annual honorific awards, which celebrate the achievements of leading minds and emerging scientific stars working to solve humanity’s greatest challenges.

08 April 2025

Related projects

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Completed

AI in Science

The AI in Science project, delivered as a conference, aims to support Australia’s emerging early and mid-career STEM leaders in embracing the opportunities and challenges of rapid developments in AI.

Related events

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AI in science: the promise, perils and path forward – AI in science and research

9 December 2025

In this panel discussion, experts from diverse corners of the research ecosystem will discuss how AI is accelerating innovation, the opportunities and challenges it presents, and what this means for trust in science.

Read more Register now

AI in science: The promise, perils and path forward - What is AI?

11 February 2025

Read more Register now

AI in science: the promise, perils and path forward – AI and our food

12 August 2025

Read more Register now

Bright Minds, Bold Voices: Reimagining how we fly

14 April 2026

Join us to explore a groundbreaking Australian partnership that is set to change the way we travel the world.

AI in science: the promise, perils and path forward – AI and our health

8 April 2025

Read more Register now

Emerging technology and innovation

Our focus

The Academy brings trusted and evidence-based perspectives to shape how Australia develops, advances and uses emerging technology for the benefit of all.

Related submissions

Submission – Inquiry into data centres

Submission – Queensland's Science and Innovation Strategy

Submission – Inquiry into clean indoor air

Submission – National Research Infrastructure Roadmap

Submission—Possible association to Horizon Europe

Related publications

Is Australian science ready for AI?

Australian science, Australia's future: Science 2035

Bringing Australia's supercomputing up to speed

The future computing needs of the Australian science sector

Bioscience 2030: educating Australia’s future bioscientists

Related articles

International grants supercharging Australian research collaborations

The science of resilience: New insights on tackling mis- and disinformation

Australian scientist’s work on trade and climate change takes centre stage

Academy honours pioneering breast cancer researchers with prestigious awards

Leading minds and emerging stars: Academy announces recipients of prestigious honorific awards

Related projects

AI in Science

Related events

AI in science: the promise, perils and path forward – AI in science and research

AI in science: The promise, perils and path forward - What is AI?

AI in science: the promise, perils and path forward – AI and our food

Bright Minds, Bold Voices: Reimagining how we fly

AI in science: the promise, perils and path forward – AI and our health