Government launches AI adoption advice hotline for SMEs

The federal government’s Small to Medium Enterprise Centre of AI (SMEC AI) has launched an AI information line aimed at providing Australian SMEs with practical assistance on adopting AI within their operations.

The service was unveiled at an event co-hosted with the National AI Centre on Tuesday. The information line is being operated under the government’s AI Adopt program and will provide free advice on using AI to its full potential. Businesses will be able to call in and describe a problem they are seeking to use AI to solve in plain language. An AI voice agent will then provide the caller with general AI options worth considering.

After the call, the caller will receive a written AI information summary over text. This summary will include a plain language recap on what was discussed and the recommended next steps to consider. Callers will be able to ask to book a time with a human member of the SMEC AI team at any point in the process.

SMEC AI Managing Director Andrew Lai said most small businesses stall in their AI adoption journeys because they don’t know where to start.

“The AI Information Line removes that first barrier,” he said. “We built this under the AI Adopt program so that trustworthy AI assistance isn’t a privilege of big companies with big budgets. It’s a free, national front door to AI for every small business in the country.”

In line with responsible AI standards, the system clearly identifies itself as an AI assistant at the start of every call, and the service is fully Australian built and operated.

The AI Information Line is available now on 1800 517 403 and at https://smecai.au.

A report prepared last year by Deloitte Access Economics for Amazon has estimated that around $44 billion could be added to the Australian economy annually if just one in 10 lower-maturity Australian SMEs advance one rung on the AI maturity ladder.

“Australia’s opportunity in AI will be shaped by how confidently our small and medium businesses can adopt it, safely and purposefully. That means meeting them where they are, with practical and responsible support,” National AI Centre Director Lee Hickin said. “Initiatives that are built to a high standard of safety and accountability help give the SME sector a clearer, more confident path to adopt AI, and that is good for the whole economy.”

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