Innovate South Australia 2024 Key Takeaways: The Drive Forward for a Digital and Secure SA Public Sector

Hon Andrea Michaels MP, Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs, the Arts, and Small and Family Business

1. South Australia's Vision for Digital Innovation and Cybersecurity
The Hon Andrea Michaels highlighted the South Australian Government's commitment to becoming a leader in digital transformation, innovation, and cybersecurity. The $200 million Digital Investment Fund aims to enhance government service delivery, bolster cybersecurity, and support the local digital industry, aligning with broader national initiatives like the Digital ID scheme and intergovernmental data sharing reforms.

2. Empowering Citizens and Businesses Through Technology
The state is implementing initiatives like the South Australian Government Identity Exchange and integrating it with the Australian Government's myGov system. This unified approach simplifies access to state and federal services for citizens while ensuring robust identity verification and security, critical for protecting against cyber threats and fostering digital inclusion.

3. Collaboration and Innovation as Key Drivers
By fostering collaboration with the Australian Government, NGOs, and private sector partners, South Australia leverages national digital strategies to enhance service delivery. Priorities include reducing red tape, driving digital inclusion, and addressing challenges such as identity theft and domestic violence through innovative digital solutions, demonstrating the government's focus on societal and economic empowerment.

South Australian Government’s Digital Strategy Update | Where are We Now and What is The Way Forward

Dr. Eva Balan-Vnuk, Executive Director | Government Chief Information Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), Department of Treasury and Finance

1. Key Priorities for 2024 in South Australia’s Digital Strategy
Dr. Eva Balan-Vnuk outlined five priority areas: whole-of-government strategies (e.g., a unified cyber strategy), critical infrastructure refreshes, introduction of new services like the integration platform (IPaaS), transparent funding models, and a strong focus on people and culture within OCIO. These initiatives emphasise modernisation, collaboration, and enabling agencies to innovate independently while adhering to shared governance and security standards.

2. Balancing Innovation with Trust and Responsibility
South Australia’s digital strategy prioritises earning public trust by emphasising data security, responsible use of technologies like AI, and adhering to ethical governance standards. Dr. Balan-Vnuk compared data to plutonium, advocating for careful handling and minimal retention, and highlighted the importance of aligning innovation efforts with community trust and compliance requirements.

3. Inclusion and Diversity in Digital Leadership
Acknowledging the contributions of neurodiverse individuals, Dr. Balan-Vnuk emphasised the importance of fostering inclusion, exemplified by the launch of South Australia's Autism Inclusion Charter. This approach underscores the value of diverse talents, advocating for workplace adaptations that benefit both minority groups and the broader workforce, enhancing productivity and innovation in the public sector.

NSW Digital Journey - Where To From Here and What We’ve learnt So Far

Laura Christie, Deputy Secretary, NSW Department of Customer Service

1. Digital as a Tool for Inclusivity
The New South Wales government is leveraging digital technologies to deliver accessible and inclusive services, ensuring no citizen is left behind. The rollout of digital initiatives, such as the planned NSW Digital ID and verifiable credentials platform, highlights a commitment to serve marginalised communities, including newly arrived migrants and individuals without traditional IDs, ensuring equal access to government services and fostering trust.

2. Embedding Digital to Support Government Priorities
Laura emphasised that digital is not an end in itself but a tool to achieve broader governmental objectives. Examples like the Hazards Publisher demonstrate how digital infrastructure can save lives by reducing emergency alert times from 30 to 3 minutes. These initiatives underline the importance of aligning digital innovations with critical government functions, focusing on practical outcomes that directly improve lives.

3. Sustained Focus on System Transformation and Collaboration
The New South Wales government has laid strong digital foundations through initiatives like the Digital Restart Fund, which has improved project efficiency and reduced costs. Moving forward, the focus is on fostering cross-government collaboration, reusing shared platforms (e.g., digital licensing systems), addressing legacy technology risks, and responsibly integrating emerging technologies like AI. These efforts highlight the need for long-term commitment to transformation and building resilient, interconnected systems across public services.

Empowering South Australia's through Future-Ready Digital Infrastructure

David Dzienciol, Chief Customer and Commercial Officer, NEXTDC

1. The Role of Digital Infrastructure in AI and Cloud Evolution
David highlighted the rapid advancement of generative AI, which he positioned as the third transformational wave following the internet and cloud computing. To support this evolution, future-ready digital infrastructure like data centres and "AI factories" are essential. These facilities are designed to handle the increasing computational demands, particularly through innovative cooling techniques and sustainable design, enabling efficient AI and cloud workloads.

2. NEXTDC’s Commitment to South Australia's Digital Future
The upcoming launch of NEXTDC’s A1 data centre in Adelaide signifies a major investment in South Australia's digital landscape. As a certified strategic facility, it offers robust compliance, security, and scalability. The facility will act as a hub for enterprises and government agencies, providing direct connectivity to major cloud providers and forming a critical part of the region’s digital ecosystem.

3. Preparing for AI-Driven Cybersecurity Challenges
With the growing prevalence of AI, cybersecurity risks are evolving. David discussed emerging threats like AI-enabled voice replication, emphasising the importance of proactive measures in securing data and digital infrastructure. NEXTDC’s focus on engineering-led solutions, including advanced cooling systems and enhanced connectivity, aims to meet the compute power demands of AI while maintaining robust security.

Unpacking the Talent Shortage Within Tech Roles in South Australia

Professor Romy Lawson, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Students), Flinders University
Linda Abrams-South, Executive Director Corporate Services, Courts Administration Authority
Jeff Swann, Deputy Chief Officer, South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service
Kim Valois, Chief Information Security Officer, SA Water

1. Expanding Pathways to Address Skills Gaps
South Australia's tech workforce needs innovative and flexible education and career pathways to meet future demands. Universities like Flinders are embracing adaptive learning models such as micro-credentials and industry partnerships to upskill and reskill workers effectively. Programs tailored to non-traditional candidates and diverse disciplines, such as historians or educators, highlight the need for interdisciplinary approaches to technology training.

2. Leveraging Public Sector Purpose to Attract Talent
The public sector’s ability to offer purpose-driven work is a unique advantage in addressing talent shortages. Strategies like fostering inclusive workplace cultures, offering flexible working arrangements (even in traditionally rigid roles like firefighting), and leveraging government programs to retrain mid-career professionals can make the public sector an employer of choice. However, agencies must actively highlight these benefits to compete with private sector opportunities.

3. Engaging Diverse Communities and Underserved Populations
Addressing South Australia's geographic and demographic diversity requires a concerted focus on inviting and empowering remote, Aboriginal, and underserved communities. Programs offering scholarships, localised training, and partnerships with community organisations are essential to creating a more inclusive tech workforce. Embracing diversity not only tackles skill shortages but also introduces new perspectives that drive innovation in technology and public service delivery.

Diving Into the Success of Project EdChat

Daniel Hughes, Chief Information Officer, South Australian Department of Education

1. Embracing AI to Transform Learning and Reduce Workload
Daniel Hughes outlined the South Australian Department of Education's proactive approach to integrating generative AI through the development of EdChat. Unlike other jurisdictions that banned AI tools like ChatGPT, the department sought to explore their potential for personalised learning, reducing teacher workload, and engaging students in innovative ways. This highlights the importance of leveraging technology to address diverse learning needs while streamlining administrative burdens.

2. Building a Secure and Tailored AI Ecosystem
EdChat, a secure, department-controlled version of ChatGPT, ensures data privacy and mitigates risks associated with open AI tools. By maintaining full control over student and teacher interactions, the department could tailor guardrails for different user groups (e.g., adult learners vs. younger students) and customise the AI's training with local curriculum data. This approach underscores how secure, context-specific AI implementations can address ethical concerns while enhancing usability.

3. Iterative Implementation Through Collaboration and Feedback
The pilot involved 8 schools, 2,000 students, and 150 staff, enabling real-time feedback on EdChat's functionality and adoption. Educators and students reported significant benefits, including improved lesson planning, enhanced engagement for ESL and neurodiverse learners, and the potential for continuous learning outside school hours. The iterative, co-designed deployment model demonstrates the value of stakeholder collaboration in scaling innovative tools effectively across education systems.

The Role of a Data Fabric to Improve South Australian Government Service Delivery and Innovation

Felix Liao, Director of Product Management, Denodo

1. Shifting from Data Collection to Data Connection
Felix Liao emphasised the importance of moving beyond traditional data collection models to focus on connecting data. Data Fabric enables organisations to streamline data integration and delivery without physically moving or replicating datasets. This approach allows agencies to improve decision-making, enhance service delivery, and respond more quickly to emerging needs.

2. Simplifying Data Management with Logical Layers
Data Fabric, supported by technologies like data virtualisation, simplifies data management by creating semantic and business-friendly layers. These layers provide end users with easy access to data across repositories without requiring in-depth technical knowledge. This approach reduces complexity, improves scalability, and ensures faster data delivery, crucial for driving innovation in government operations.

3. Enabling Innovation Through Scalable Security and Governance
The session highlighted how centralised security and governance layers in Data Fabric enable organisations to manage sensitive information, such as PII, more effectively. By tagging and applying unified policies, agencies can adapt to regulatory changes and ensure secure data sharing. Real-world examples, such as NHS Scotland’s use of Data Fabric during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrate its potential to enable agile, data-driven responses to critical challenges.

Putting the Focus on Digital Equity for South Australian Citizens

Professor Joy Rathjen, Director, Research & Innovation, SA Pathology
Dr Shikha Sharma, CIO/ Director Business Improvement and Technology, Department of Human Services
Stuart Watt, Chief Information Officer, Department for Primary Industries and Regions

1. Prioritising Accessible and Inclusive Digital Services
Panelists emphasised the importance of designing digital services with accessibility and inclusivity at the forefront. This includes using plain language, ensuring compatibility with devices like smartphones (often the only digital access point for some users), and addressing socio-economic barriers. These considerations enhance trust, usability, and engagement across diverse populations, particularly in underserved regions.

2. Collaboration and Co-Design with Stakeholders
Successful digital equity initiatives require co-design with citizens, community organisations, and industry groups. Examples like SA Pathology’s integration with My Health Record and the Department of Human Services' Family Safety Portal demonstrate the value of engaging users to shape solutions. Collaborating with other jurisdictions and the private sector provides additional insights to refine approaches and ensure broader applicability.

3. Balancing Innovation with Equity and Security
While digital-first approaches offer efficiency, they must be complemented by non-digital options to ensure no one is excluded. This multi-channel strategy safeguards equity while accommodating diverse needs. Additionally, robust data privacy and security policies are critical to maintaining trust, especially when third-party intermediaries support vulnerable populations, such as elderly citizens or those with disabilities. Ensuring governance frameworks and third-party compliance is essential for sustainable digital equity.