Michael Kirch

Every company wants to improve customer relationships, and AI has great potential for this. You might be ready to embrace AI CRM, but is your data? Discover how global leaders, including those in Australia & New Zealand, are evaluating their strategies. Download report:

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The recent release of the Australian Government's National Framework for the Assurance of AI in Government addresses critical organisational-level considerations. However, monitoring the individual use of AI by public servants, especially with the rise of 'shadow AI', remains an ongoing challenge. Kishwar Rahman GAICD’s recent LinkedIn post raises an important question: "The Australian government released its National Framework for the assurance of AI in government last week. While this applies at an organisational level - how will the organisations monitor individual public servant use of AI to deliver their work with the ongoing rise of shadow AI? For example, at the bottom corner of this screen a button “Rewrite with AI” has appeared…." At an organisation I support, we have been proactively working to enable the safe and ethical use of AI. While AI services, such as ChatGPT, can be temporarily blocked, the rapid emergence of new AI tools complicates this approach. Blocking access serves as a stopgap measure until comprehensive training and supporting policies can be established. Our efforts are focused on developing robust frameworks, environments, and tools, underpinned by strong policies, to facilitate the safe and ethical deployment of AI solutions internally. These solutions may involve bespoke development by data scientists using advanced machine learning techniques or safely bringing large language models in-house for retraining with departmental data. A significant challenge lies in the integration of AI functionalities within existing software upgrades. Identifying these changes and ensuring that the new AI capabilities do not introduce risks is crucial, especially as we strive to keep our software solutions up to date. The example mentioned by Kishwar about the LinkedIn AI solution is pertinent. Generally, LinkedIn is a personal social media platform, with the exception of official accounts. Interim guidance has supported the use of AI solutions where the data involved is already public or intended for public release. Therefore, in this specific case, existing controls suffice. As demonstrated by this ongoing discussion, this is indeed a hot topic. While early days can be challenging, we anticipate that as AI technology becomes more integrated into our daily work, processes will become smoother and more refined.

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Join the webinar to learn about practical use of #AI in #AECsector If you have anything to do with capital works or assets, this session is for you. #kpmgaustralia #advisoryservices #oraclesaas

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Introducing our new thought leadership hub – your one-stop shop for all things Google AI for Public Sector. Explore the four pillars of our work, learn from real-world examples, and join the conversation about building a better tomorrow. #AI #GoogleforGov

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Sharing my slides from today's keynote at the Innovate QLD Event hosted by the Public Sector Network. I covered: - how we are thinking about innovation all wrong - how to become a better innovator - Examples where Queensland Government is leading in digital innovation #digitalinnovation #digitalinclusion #digitaleconomy

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If you're an Australian #CompanySecretary who is thinking about applications for #AI in the CoSec space, the Governance Institute of Australia has just released an Issues Paper on AI minute-taking that's worth a read. The paper makes a good point about the importance of trust between a Board and the minute taker - Directors often take devil's advocate / contrarian positions during meetings to make sure that an issue is examined critically from a number of angles - they can do this because they trust that the minute taker understands the nuance and will represent that in the minutes appropriately. It goes on to point out that "It is generally not considered good practice to use a recording device for board minute taking" - the clear implication from this being that it is also not good practice to use AI to prepare minutes because AI (currently) needs a recording of the meeting to prepare any summary of it. Ultimately the paper concludes that "AI, in its current form, may not yet be suitable for taking board minutes." I don't think that position will come as a big surprise to anyone and there is a lot of sense in it. There are legal obligations around minutes and they are a record of a live interaction between multiple people with a rich contextual background - a lot of judgement is involved in that. At the same time, we should be frank about the reason people are interested in using AI to write minutes for them: writing minutes can be pretty boring! Technology exists to help humans get repetitive and mundane tasks done faster and better so they can focus on more important things - so while we shouldn't hang our hats on AI as the magic solution for minute taking, we should definitely be thinking about how technology can be used to make minute taking faster and better! https://lnkd.in/gddygY49

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50% of Australians report experiencing high levels of stress at work. With cost of living continuing to rise and other stressors in play, organisations are rethinking how they support workplace well-being. How can companies leverage technology to adapt and connect with their employees in the ever changing world of work? #WorkplaceWellbeing #EmployeeSupport #HRTech

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Will your digital identity be the de facto form of personal identity soon? Not so long ago I posted on the need for government to see that digital disruption is already here and to embrace digital ids https://lnkd.in/g6S7iEQz In it I mentioned the historical mandated requirement to register births. Coincidently only a few weeks later a story on digital birth certificates pops up, karma or just too many cookies tracking my every move? #digitalid #digitalidentity #digitaldisruption https://lnkd.in/gTCtweNz

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GovGPT coming our way! - multimodal including Te Reo Māori text and retrieval augmented generation, built within 2 months is an impressive move to showcase the use of GenAI with relatively effective usecase. Great initiative led by Hon Judith Collins KC MP with a clear goal and direction This usecase is one of the most sensible pathway to jump on GenAI ladder and understand its contextual implications! #genai #appliedai #aiusecases

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‘Quantum Australia’ is a great boost to create an Australian Quantum capability hub, however we will continue to require significantly more investment (from government, researchers and business alike) to turn this into to a competitive advantage. #quantumtechnologies #innovation #nationalinfrastructure https://lnkd.in/gs-8Jij6

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I have mixed feelings about this; I can absolutely see the value, used correctly. Augmenting an already stretched capability with an 'assistant' level process seems to be the right thing to do, given the global shortage of people working in this area, and with an aging population. On the other hand, show me the certifications and standards that would make this acceptable, clarity around IP, liability, etc., vs. 'letting it loose in the wild'. Value is one thing, patient safety needs to be the number one priority. And not revenue... https://lnkd.in/g62j24zQ

Transitioning from Developer to Innovator  . #australia #perth #devsingh #devsinghperth #devsinghaus #TechJourney #Innovation #StartupCulture #WomenInTech #TechEvolution #IBM #FlexibleWork #TechBoom #AustralianTech #SalesAndMarketing #WomenInSTEM #CareerGrowth #TechInspiration #TechIndustry #Entrepreneurship #DigitalTransformation #TechLeadership #Startups #SouthAfricaToAustralia #TechStory #CareerDevelopment

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UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL (AND PERILS) OF GENERATIVE AI: A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE FOR BUSINESSES The future is here, and Generative AI is changing the content creation game. But with great power comes great responsibility! Presented by Natasha Blycha and Schellie-Jayne Price from Stirling & Rose, this ACS Tech event dives deep into the legal and ethical considerations surrounding Generative AI, helping businesses navigate its exciting opportunities and complex challenges. Here's what you'll gain: ·Insights into the legal and ethical implications of using GenAI and AI-generated content ·Understanding the role of intellectual property in this new landscape ·The importance of data quality in an AI-powered world ·Real-world case studies highlighting key legal issues to watch out for ·Networking and refreshments after the presentation! ·Don't miss this chance to equip yourself with valuable knowledge for the future of business. Event Details: Date: Tuesday, July 30th Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Click for details and to register: https://lnkd.in/g3q63Mqm #GenerativeAI #AI #Law #Ethics #Business #ACSTech #ACS

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The Australian Government’s “Policy for the Responsible Use of AI in Government” is a crucial framework that ensures AI is adopted ethically, transparently, and responsibly across public services. This policy aims to unify government approaches, bolster public trust, and maintain adaptability as AI technologies rapidly evolve. Key insights from the policy include: - Unified Approach: Consistent AI governance across agencies fosters collaboration and innovation. - Public Trust: Transparency and accountability are essential for maintaining public confidence in AI use. - Investment: A chart showing the importance of AI principles alongside cost allocations reveals the government’s significant investment in ethical AI adoption, balancing innovation with robust governance.

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Classic bait-and-switch wrapped in shiny new tech toys! Recent investments in #NDIS tech upgrades, including DART, ICT PACE Salesforce, could be viewed as strategic moves by NDIA to centralize control & cut costs, at the expense of participant autonomy. Bit like giving a kid a shiny new bicycle with one hand while tightening the training wheels with the other. Sure, they're upgrading the systems, but at what cost? Evidence suggests procurement process for these systems, particularly Salesforce, was marred by ethical concerns & cost blowouts, a contract value ballooning from $27 million to $135 million due to scope changes. Additionally, there were instances of undisclosed gifts & hospitality received by NDIA officials from Salesforce, raising questions about the integrity of the procurement process. Did the extra cash come with a side of accountability, or just an expensive lunch for a few NDIA officials? The sweet aroma of undisclosed gifts, where transparency goes to die. Ethical Concerns? More like ethical nightmares. A little gift here, a hospitality event there & suddenly, what was supposed to be a transparent process looks more like a backroom deal. Who needs a fair procurement process when you can have a cozy relationship with your vendor? Centralized Control or should we say, centralized surveillance? By tightening the reins on financial management, NDIA might save a few bucks, but what happens to participant choice? It's like they’re handing out free collars to the participants – complete with a shiny tag that says, "Property of NDIA." Big question here is NDIA really trying to empower participants, or are they just trying to tighten their grip under the guise of efficiency? Line between progress & control is a thin one & it seems like they’re walking it with a pair of blinders on. Maybe it's time someone held magnifying glass up to see who’s really benefiting from these “upgrades.” Cost-Cutting Agenda: NDIA is playing Monopoly with people’s lives, and the utilities and railroads are all marked "NDIA-owned." They’re streamlining operations alright – straight down the highway of control, where autonomy is just a pit stop that no one’s allowed to visit. Reduces participant choice & increase surveillance, aligning with a broader cost-cutting agenda. Shifting towards these systems may reflect an underlying strategy to enforce stricter controls over spending while limiting participant autonomy in managing their plans. Tech Upgrades or Trojan Horses? If these new systems are so great, why does it feel like they’re more about watching participants than helping them? It’s the classic government move – sell it as empowerment, but the fine print reads “You’re now under stricter surveillance.” These upgrades might enable NDIA to take direct control over transactions too, reducing the role of intermediaries like plan managers, centralizing financial management. Time we ask how these technological changes align with the original goals of NDIS.

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Here's another great #AI resource from the Australian Government . This report from the ASIC looks at #AI usage in Australian financial services. Findings: Use of AI 🔹The extent of AI use varied significantly but overall adoption is accelerating  🔹Most current use cases applied long-established, well-understood techniques. But there was a shift towards more complex and opaque techniques, including generative AI 🔹The way AI was used was mostly cautious Findings: Risk Management and Governance 🔹There were gaps in arrangements for managing some AI risks 🔹There were gaps in licensees’ assessments of AI risks 🔹AI governance arrangements varied widely. We identified weaknesses that create the potential for gaps as AI use accelerates  🔹The maturity of governance and risk management did not always align with the nature and scale of licensees’ AI use 🔹Many licensees relied heavily on third parties for their AI models, but not all had appropriate governance arrangements in place to manage risk Press Release: https://lnkd.in/eUfktpZ2 Report Source: https://lnkd.in/eHAR3tRp

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With a serious misuse of AI Image Generators hitting the news here in Australia today it is beginning to look clearer by the day that organisations are in desperate need of controls of how AI is used within their organisation. Once these controls are in place, we can then move forward to realising the true ROI within organisations. Anybody in the roles of CIO, CTO, CDO, CISO or CRO and their direct reports...If you don't know your AI footprint, don't have a governance framework, or haven't started to have really meaty conversations around this then reach out today as we have developed out some wonderful products that over the cause of 2 days will mitigate a lot of your organisational risk. #AI #Risk #Governance #AIGovernance #DataGovernance [email protected] https://lnkd.in/gmJENqii

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