Extraordinary strides: our tech industry hits spotlight
The Sunshine Coast's booming tech industry took centre stage at the sold-out Testing Tech in Paradise event at Altitude Nine Maroochydore.
Source Media
The atmosphere was electric with more than 130 guests including industry leaders, entrepreneurs and investors who gathered on December 4 to expand their knowledge, make connections and explore new opportunities.
The “Geospatial Intelligence IRL *In Real Life” event showcased the region’s latest advancements within geospatial intelligence and introduced “Laura”, Council’s newest trial of an AI-enabled Customer Service Avatar.
The geospatial sector is projected to deliver a staggering $689 billion economic impact to Australia by 2034*, benefiting industries such as mining, communications, transport, wholesale and retail, infrastructure, construction, finance, property, agriculture and many more.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli opened the event and said the region had made extraordinary strides in technology and connectivity.
"We’re building a niche tech industry that’s ready to compete on both national and international stages," Mayor Natoli said.
“From Google’s recent submarine cable announcement to the thriving ecosystem of innovative companies, it’s clear we’re not just growing - we’re leading.”
University of Queensland and Earth Observation Australia Inc Professor Stuart Phinn shared a fascinating keynote on the insights into the growth of earth observation and geospatial applications using information from droners, aircraft and satellites.
“That was one of the most energised, highly professional and engaged event of this type I have been at in a very long time around Australia,” said Professor Phinn.
“Sunshine Coast Council is providing a unique base for the collaborations needed to build this area.”
Facilitated by Gavin Kennedy, a geospatial business analyst with FrontierSI and the Coordinator for the Queensland Earth Observation Hub, a panel of industry experts discussed the far-reaching applications of geospatial intelligence in business, highlighting the region's cutting-edge infrastructure, skilled workforce and supportive business environment.
The diversity of applications for geospatial tech from insurance to agriculture and emergency service was shared by panellists (pictured above from L-R) Stuart Phinn with Simon Webster from Queensland Fire Department, Jane Parker from McCormick Foods Australia, Rylea McGlusky from Geospatial Intelligence and Andrew White from Youi.
UniSC director of innovation Jasmine Vreugdenburg introduced the UniSC Innovation Space to Sea Accelerator Program which will provide support and resources to combine geospatial intelligence with technologies such as drones, robotics and AI to develop solutions to challenges across a range of industry sectors, including environmental sustainability, critical infrastructure, agriculture and disaster management.
Sunshine Coast Geospatial Centre of Excellence
To assist companies realise the benefits of the geospatial sector Council is working in partnership with local company Geospatial Intelligence to explore the potential to create a local Centre of Excellence in Geospatial Technology.
The centre will work with local, national and international organisations to apply geospatial solutions to complex problems.
Customer service avatar unveiled
As part of a three-month trial supported by Council’s "Testing Tech in Paradise" program, Council introduced its new AI-enabled Customer Service Avatar, Laura.
Laura demonstrates how innovative technology can enhance community services in Maroochydore City Centre by utilising augmented and virtual reality to improve workforce safety, productivity, reporting accuracy and consistency.
Laura can engage with visitors using a motion sensor and listens via a microphone, leveraging advanced ChatGPT to respond accurately.
Laura is here to enhance our customer service experience, not to replace human jobs. Council’s Customer Service team remains dedicated to handling personal enquiries and service requests.
The Testing Tech in Paradise Program is a collaboration of Council’s Smart Cities and Economic Development teams, and the event was supported by UniSC, Geospatial Intelligence and media partner MySecuirty media.
*Geospatial Council of Australia, 30 October 2024