Innovate South Australia 2024 Key Takeaways: Digital Services & CX

Insights from the South Australian Space Industry Centre | Space Technology and Innovation from a Benefit-to-Humanity Perspective

Catherine Grace, Director, South Australian Space Industry Centre 

1. Practical Applications of Space Technology for Public Benefit
Catherine Grace highlighted how space technologies, such as satellite monitoring and IoT integration, provide innovative solutions to real-world challenges, including precision agriculture, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure management. These advancements improve decision-making and resource optimisation, making space a critical enabler for public sector growth.

2. Economic and Workforce Impact
The South Australian space sector has seen remarkable growth, increasing from 100 to 1,600 jobs since 2017, with a median salary of $98K and significant ROI (7:1 to 14:1). This expansion positions South Australia as a global leader in small satellite innovation and workforce development, fostering new opportunities in defence, AI, and emerging technologies.

3. Collaboration and Global Leadership
The region's focus on partnerships with local SMEs, international collaborators, and academic institutions, such as the University of Adelaide, drives advancements in space technology and innovation. Notable projects like the Kanyini satellite and ground-breaking lunar payloads demonstrate South Australia's potential to influence global space missions and address challenges like climate change and food security.

Driving Citizen-Centric Outcomes Through Digital Transformation

David Mazzone, Chief Operating Officer, Legal Services Commission of South Australia

1. Amica as a Transformative Legal Platform:

Amica empowers individuals navigating separation by providing an AI-driven, mobile-first tool to guide them through complex legal processes, including asset division and agreement generation. It addresses accessibility challenges, particularly for those unable to afford legal aid, and leverages conversational plain English to enhance user experience and comprehension.

2. Prioritising User-Centred Design Over Traditional Methods

By listening to the community's needs rather than relying solely on legal professionals, Amica was developed to meet real-world expectations. Features like sentiment analysis, AI-generated settlement suggestions, and flexibility for individual or collaborative use exemplify this approach. This user focus has led to widespread adoption, with tools like Amica One tripling engagement within a year of launch.

3. AI’s Role in Enhancing Access to Justice

The platform demonstrates how AI can provide fair, consistent, and bias-mitigated recommendations by training models on thousands of real scenarios and involving human oversight. The tool not only reduces the cost and complexity of legal processes but also ensures equitable outcomes, addressing the "missing middle" of individuals who previously fell outside the scope of legal aid.

Digital Leadership: Navigating the Future of Government in South Australia

Marcel Althoff, Chief Information Officer, City of Marion 
Madhumita Mazumdar, General Manager Information & Communications Technology, Journey Beyond 
Nick May, Chief Customer Officer, Beyond Bank   

1. Collaboration and Customer-Centric Transformation

Panelists emphasised the importance of integrating customer-centric approaches into digital transformation initiatives. Collaboration across sectors—government, banking, travel, and tech—demonstrated how organisations could align their technology efforts with customer needs, emphasising trust, communication, and co-design to create seamless user experiences.

2. Balancing Risk and Innovation

Achieving digital transformation in government requires balancing risk aversion with timely adoption of new technologies. Strategies such as chunking projects into manageable phases, focusing on achievable outcomes, and leveraging lessons learned from smaller-scale implementations help mitigate risks while driving innovation.

3. Leadership and Change Management

Successful digital transformation hinges on leadership that fosters trust, communicates the "why," and supports teams. Leaders must act as partners and collaborators, empowering their teams through development opportunities and aligning efforts with strategic goals. Cultivating change agents within the organisation and maintaining transparency during transformation are critical for building a culture that embraces innovation.