Today, hundreds of Australian science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and business leaders are pondering the potential of big data and high tech to secure a more prosperous future for Australia.
Professor Emma Johnston AO, President of Science & Technology Australia, says experts from Microsoft, Google, Pfizer, and many other industry leaders will meet with researchers from Australia’s universities, research institutes and agencies.
She says the developments in data collection, modelling, and technology that will be the focus of today are transforming the impact and expanding the reach of scientific research.
“Agriculture is being reshaped using data from new satellite technologies – to track livestock in real time, or to predict the best time to water and fertilise crops to achieve the best yield,” Professor Johnston said.
“We will see significant changes to the way we understand the universe around us too, as the Square Kilometre Array and the new Australian Space Agency will allow the nation’s researchers to access and analyse more data from space than ever before.”
Professor Johnston said experts would also use today to discuss the medical applications of data and new digital technologies to unlock ways to personalise medicine and more effectively manage illness and disease.
“For every exciting opportunity, there is also a public concern around the use of big data and technology. Today we also have experts in cybersecurity and the ethics of AI speaking about ways we can protect this new wave of data creation from external threats, and protect our brilliant new ideas.”
Science meets Business is held every year by Science & Technology Australia and is designed to connect the science, technology and private sectors to improve and enhance the nation’s commercialisation of research.
“Each year, hundreds of professionals network, discuss and share their experiences, sparking new projects, partnerships and ideas.”
“We can’t wait to share the success of our talented scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians, so that we can elevate Australia’s competitive edge in research commercialisation and improve Australia’s health, wealth, the environment and our wellbeing.”
The event will run today (11 Oct) in Brisbane at the Grand Chancellor Hotel.
Media contact: Dion Pretorius | 0418 281 777 | dion.pretorius@sta.org.au