Events

Innovation Ecosystems

with Professor Ron Boschma (Utrecht University)

Tuesday 8 November | Flinders University, Victoria Square | 5:15 pm

The Australian Industrial Transformation Institute is delighted to host Professor Ron Boschma (Utrecht University), the leading international authority on innovation ecosystems.

RSVP Essential

How do different types of proximity affect the performance of innovation networks and precincts?

Regions do not start developing new economic activities from scratch, but develop new activities that are closely related to their existing capabilities. Inter-regional linkages provide access to complementary capabilities needed for successful diversification.

To formulate a regional innovation policy framework that is evidence-based policy makers should map regional diversification opportunities; regions should develop activities that are related to existing activities and partner with those who possess complementary capabilities.

Professor Ron Boschma (Utrecht University) is the leading international authority on how different forms of proximity (cognitive, organizational, social, institutional, and spatial) affect firms in innovation ecosystems.

This talk will build on his earlier work, which analyses why some individuals and firms are better connected than others, and what types of proximity foster connectivity and effective knowledge flows.

Professor Boschma’s insights are timely given the recent investments by business and government in industrial precincts and networks.

The lecture will be followed by a discussion with Prof. John Spoehr, Director of the Australian Industrial Transformation Institute (AITI), exploring how this research might inform innovation development locally.

This event is for anyone interested in innovation and the future of work in Australia.

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Location

Level 2, Flinders at Tonsley
1284 South Road, Clovelly Park
SA 5042
(see map)

Postal address

Australian Industrial Transformation Institute
Flinders University Tonsley
GPO Box 2100
Adelaide SA 5001

(08) 8201 5083

aiti@flinders.edu.au

Past Events

AUTOMATION NATION

Dr Navinda Kottege|CSIRO

In this first instalment of the Australian Industrial Transformation Institute's (AITI) Future of Work in the Digital Age Seminar Series Dr Kottege talked about the current state of robotics and automation and, drawing on insights from global trends, attempt to paint a picture of what the future of work may hold. 

In 2021 Dr Kottege led the CSIRO’s Data61 robotics team as they placed second in the ‘Robotic Olympics’ - the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Subterranean Challenge, a global robotics challenge to send field robots into unknown underground environments.

Australia is undoubtedly punching above its weight in robotic developments, but our robotics ecosystem is fragmented. Dr Kottege discussed some of the challenges of the adoption and commercialisation of cutting-edge technology in Australia in the light of current capabilities. And how the collaborative sub-systems of humans and robot interactions means we should anticipate a future of work that includes jobs we have not yet imagined.

This event was held on 17 Feb 2022.

THE PROMISE OF AUTOMATION AND DIGITALISATION

Professor Hugh Bradlow|Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering

The rise of the so-called “Internet of Things” (or “IoT”) over the last decade promises digitilisation of the physical world through measurement, analysis and control. This, combined with Artificial Intelligence, creates the promise of automating many tasks currently done by humans.

But the nature of this automation is yet to be understood. Although there is widespread fear that automation will supplant human jobs Prof. Bradlow argued there is a greater likelihood that automation will complement human work, not replace it. In other words, automation will be no different from other technological advances that humans have applied since the beginning of time – it will just be another tool to make humans more effective.

In this presentation, Hugh Argued that the advantage of automation is not productivity (even though it will inevitably lead to changes in productivity) but the reduction, and possibly ultimately elimination, of human error. He will focus on the progression of automated vehicles and smart buildings as examples.

This event was held on 3 March 2022.

CHARGING AHEAD. ELECTRIC VEHICLES AS INDUSTRIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR (SOUTH) AUSTRALIA

Dr. Mark Dean | Laurie Carmichael Distinguished Research Fellow at the Carmichael Centre, Centre for Future Work at The Australia Institute

Australia possesses many of the key elements to develop an electric vehicle manufacturing industry: critical minerals, advanced industries, skilled workers and consumer demand.

But it lacks an active industrial policy for manufacturing that could coordinate these elements and create a major industry at the core of a sustainable, renewables-focused advanced industrial economy. There are significant opportunities for (South) Australia’s urban centres and regions to benefit from a national EV-focused industrial transformation.

What opportunities are there for state and country, and how can they be captured by federal industry policy and a state government strategy? This question is explored in relation to the key role of public investment in Australia’s renewables-driven future.

This event was held on the 21 of April 2022.

FUTURE SKILLS: MORE THAN PROGRAMMING?

Prof. Toby Walsh | Laureate Fellow & Scientia Professor of AI, School of CSE, UNSW Sydney

What are likely future demands on workers’ skills and what are the implications for Australia’s training system?

From a perspective of organisational readiness and scientific advances, Australia is amongst the global leaders in developing applications for, and with, Artificial Intelligence.

Having adequate numbers of qualified data scientists and machine learning experts is seen as one of the challenges ahead. What does this mean for Australia’s education and training system? What do we need to teach and learn?

Is it all about technical skills – or, as argued in this presentation, are there soft skills to be considered as well?

Prof. Toby Walsh discussed the implications and impacts of future demands for workers’ skills on Australia's training system.

*Unfortunately, due to a technical error this session was not recorded.

REACHING FOR UTOPIA

John Quiggin | Professor of Economics, University of Queensland.

From four-day weeks to unconditional basic income to free education, it’s possible to imagine a future where society’s focus has moved from consumption to quality of life.

Prof. John Quiggin discusses the technological possibilities and the way the experience of the Covid pandemic has changed our thinking.

This discussion is hosted by Prof. John Spoehr, Director of the Australian Industrial Transformation Institute and is suitable for anyone interested in automation and the future of work in Australia.

This event was held on the 14 July 2022.