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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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

Commonwealth Government

Submission—Australian Government’s economic reform roundtable

On 26 July 2025, the Academy made a submission on the Australian Government’s economic reform roundtable.

Published on 26 July 2025

Commonwealth Government

Submission—Jobs and Skills Australia’s Generative Artificial Intelligence Capacity Study

On 22 May 2025, the Academy made a submission to Jobs and Skills Australia’s Generative Artificial Intelligence Capacity Study.

Published on 22 May 2025

Commonwealth Government

Submission—Draft Final NDRI Investment Plan: Recommendations for Investment by the NDRI Working Group Feedback Survey

On 9 January 2025, the Academy made a submission to the Draft Final NDRI Investment Plan: Recommendations for Investment by the NDRI Working Group Feedback Survey.

Published on 09 January 2025

Parliamentary Committee inquiry

Submission—Select Committee on PFAS (per and polyfluoroalkyl substances)

On 18 December 2024, the Academy made a submission to the Select Committee on PFAS (per and polyfluoroalkyl substances).

Published on 18 December 2024

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?

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

International scientific collaborations in a contested world: discussion paper

Context, data, and questions to stimulate thinking around how scientists collaborate in an uncertain and fragmented geopolitical landscape.

Published on 01 November 2023

View all articles

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

2025–26 Federal Budget: The vital infrastructure of today is supercomputing – not just roads and rail

The 2025–26 Federal Budget has missed the opportunity to safeguard Australia’s scientific and technological capability and support cost-of-living measures through targeted investment in supercomputing, the Australian Academy of Science says.

25 March 2025

2025 Thomas Davies grant recipients to study plants, pollution, soil and marine ecosystems

Nine early-and mid-career researchers have received this year’s Thomas Davies Research Grant for Marine, Soil and Plant Biology.

06 March 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

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

8 April 2025

Read more Register now

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

14 October 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—Possible association to Horizon Europe

Submission—Australian Government’s economic reform roundtable

Submission—Jobs and Skills Australia’s Generative Artificial Intelligence Capacity Study

Submission—Draft Final NDRI Investment Plan: Recommendations for Investment by the NDRI Working Group Feedback Survey

Submission—Select Committee on PFAS (per and polyfluoroalkyl substances)

Related publications

Is Australian science ready for AI?

Australian science, Australia's future: Science 2035

The future computing needs of the Australian science sector

Bioscience 2030: educating Australia’s future bioscientists

International scientific collaborations in a contested world: discussion paper

Related articles

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

2025–26 Federal Budget: The vital infrastructure of today is supercomputing – not just roads and rail

2025 Thomas Davies grant recipients to study plants, pollution, soil and marine ecosystems

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

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

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