Media releases

Federation University Australia’s Morwell Innovation Centre will become a base for businesses that are seeking expert advice on artificial intelligence (AI) and how to adopt it safely.

Gippsland AI company RedgridGPT has been awarded a $4.2 million Australian Government grant through the AI Adopt Program to provide guidance to regional small-to-medium-sized businesses in the agriculture, forestry, fisheries and renewable technology sectors across the nation.

Based at the Morwell Innovation Centre and with support from Federation University, including the Centre of New Energy Transition Research (CfNETR), RedgridGPT and other consortium partners, will help businesses to modernise and adopt AI safely and efficiently, also providing subsidised specialist training to help staff develop skills to manage AI into the future.

The hub will operate for an initial three years, beginning in late 2024, building a team of local experts, including several senior roles.

The project is among four ‘AI Adopt Centres’ across Australia announced by Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic this week with a total of $17 million in funding.

RedgridGPT was established in 2018 to support AI-led innovation in the energy industry as it transitions to renewables.

Quotes attributable to Federation University Director Regional Strategy and Engagement, Eastern Region, Professor Andrew O’Loughlin

“Gippsland businesses seeking to bolster productivity and modernise their operations through AI now have direct local access to the tools and support they need.”

“We are proud to partner with RedgridGPT through the Morwell Innovation Centre to assist not just our own communities as they navigate economic transition but help strengthen small-to-medium enterprises across regional Australia.”

Quotes attributable to RedgridGPT Founder and CEO, Simon Wilson

“Through our local collaborations with Federation University and industry, we have seen the real and practical challenges, and opportunities that the transition presents, not just in energy but in agriculture, fisheries, food, fibre and forestry.”

“Regional communities and business providers have distinctly different attributes, goals, objectives, and needs to metro operators and we want to enable that nuanced approach to   practical education, awareness and advice for responsible AI adoption and strategy.”