Justin Hendry

Cape Town, Sydney

Editor @Innov_Aus, formerly @iTnews_au. Advocate of transformative politics. Occasional pessimist. Tips? [email protected] or [email protected]

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Articles

Australia has outgrown its early-stage VC tax breaks, Tech Council says

3 weeks ago | innovationaus.com | Justin Hendry

Australia’s startup ecosystem has outgrown the venture capital tax breaks on offer to boost early-stage tech investment, and are now acting as a handbrake as companies level up. That’s according to the Tech Council of Australia, which has flagged the need to re-energise the federal government’s Early Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnership (ESVCLP) program.
Tech giants' indirect emissions climb 150pc in three years

3 weeks ago | innovationaus.com | Justin Hendry

Indirect carbon emissions from the operations of four of the leading AI-focused tech companies rose on average by 150 per cent from 2020-2023, due to the demands of power-hungry data centres, a United Nations report said on Thursday. The use of artificial intelligence by drove up their global indirect emissions because of the vast amounts of energy required to power data centres, the report by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the UN agency for digital technologies, said.
SA funds 'proof of value' AI trials, sets up new VC fund

3 weeks ago | innovationaus.com | Justin Hendry

A series of “proof of value” AI trials will be conducted across the South Australian public sector as part of a new government program funded in the state Budget on Thursday. The trials, which will cost $28 million over the next four years, will target “high priority areas” like healthcare, where AI could automate administrative tasks and free up clinician time.
Apple loses US bid to pause app store reform order

3 weeks ago | innovationaus.com | Justin Hendry

Apple on Wednesday (Thursday AEST) failed to persuade a US appeals court to pause key parts of a federal judge’s order requiring the iPhone maker to immediately open its lucrative App Store to more competition. The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Apple’s request to put the provisions on hold as the tech company appeals the judge’s order, which came in a long-running antitrust lawsuit brought by “Fortnite” maker Epic Games.
Opposition tech pick misses out on seat

3 weeks ago | innovationaus.com | Justin Hendry

The federal Opposition has suffered an early blow to its shadow ministry, with Liberal candidate and proposed shadow assistant technology minister Gisele Kapterian missing out on the Sydney seat of Bradfield. A week to the day that the presumptive MP was included in the shadow ministry, the Australian Electoral Commission on Wednesday announced Independent Nicolette Boele had won the closely fought electorate by 26 votes.
Copilot saved UK public servants less time than in Australia

3 weeks ago | innovationaus.com | Justin Hendry

UK public servants saved an average of 26 minutes each day using Microsoft’s generative AI tool during a large-scale trial last year – less than half the time Australians did during a similar Copilot trial. The trial, which took place in the last three months of 2024, involved 20,000 public servants across 12 departments and agencies, including His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs and the Home Office.
Victorian govt mulls defence tech shift for VC fund

3 weeks ago | innovationaus.com | Justin Hendry

Breakthrough Victoria could be retooled to help grow local defence industry under changes being considered to better align the government-backed venture capital fund with the state’s economic priorities. As questions swirl over the exact funding envelope for the fund to 2035, discussions are underway over whether a sixth investment priority should be added to Breakthrough Victoria’s remit.
Sharath Sriram named WA’s new chief scientist

3 weeks ago | innovationaus.com | Justin Hendry

Accomplished nanotech researcher and RMIT University commercialisation leader Sharath Sriram has been named Western Australia’s new chief scientist — its first new top science advisor in more than a decade. Professor Sriram, also currently president of Science & Technology Australia (STA), takes the reins on Tuesday, replacing the state’s longest-serving chief scientist of all time, Peter Klinken.
Australia must lean into AI opportunity or miss out: Tim Ayres

3 weeks ago | innovationaus.com | Justin Hendry

Industry minister Tim Ayres has given the clearest picture yet of the federal government’s AI policy reset, arguing Australia must “lean in” and secure a stake in the technology if it is to have any chance shaping its digital future. In his first major comments on artificial intelligence since becoming minister last month, Mr Ayres positioned AI and its supporting infrastructure as key to the country’s economic resilience and future competitiveness as other nations jostle for superiority.
Neuralink raises $1bn in latest funding as clinical trials begin

3 weeks ago | innovationaus.com | Justin Hendry

Elon Musk’s Neuralink said on Monday that it had raised US$650 million (A$1 billion) in its latest funding round as its brain implant device enters clinical trials. “This funding helps us bring our technology to more people — restoring independence for those with unmet medical needs and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with brain interfaces,” Neuralink said.