#142 Sovereign AI explained

This week we unpack the concept of sovereign AI, which is increasingly shaping both Australian and global conversations about national AI approaches.

We explore what sovereign AI means, the problem it seeks to solve, and the variety of options being proposed.

We also debate how feasible it is for Australia to can achieve a truly sovereign AI capability.

Links:

Article urging Australia to build sovereign AI (InnovationAus) https://www.innovationaus.com/build-sovereign-ai-now-or-face-lock-in-australia-warned/

Article about Australian startups building sovereign AI (AFR) https://www.afr.com/technology/we-can-do-it-for-under-100m-start-up-joins-race-to-build-local-chatgpt-20250908-p5mt5o

Article about Productivity Commission's views on sovereign AI (AFR) https://www.innovationaus.com/productivity-tsar-hoses-down-sovereign-ai-support-hopes/

Oped #1 about Australia's limitations in achieving sovereign AI (AFR) https://www.afr.com/technology/australia-is-seeking-its-place-in-the-ai-world-order-20250910-p5mu38?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

Oped #2 about Australia's limitations in achieving sovereign AI (AFR) https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/labor-must-resist-the-temptation-to-build-sovereign-ai-20250903-p5ms97

Oped by Vic senator Michelle Ananda-Rajah (AFR)https://www.afr.com/technology/our-ai-future-is-being-built-overseas-we-can-t-afford-that-20250813-p5mmlq

Blog about South-East Asia's approach to sovereign AI (ASPI) https://aspicts.substack.com/p/the-monthly-roundup-angela-suriyasenee

Credits:

Editing and post-production by Martin Franklin (East Coast Studio) ⁠www.eastcoaststudio.com.au⁠

Music by Bensound.com