AI-Innovation Down Under: exci’s Journey of Triumph and Obstacles

Australia’s ambition to position itself as an ‘innovation nation’ is overshadowed by the disheartening reality of gradually losing ground to global competitors. This stark contrast raises a vital question: What hinders Australia from fostering a culture of innovation? 

This blog post discusses the cultural factors hindering the adoption of homegrown technologies and illuminates the challenges faced. It highlights how, amidst these hurdles, exci’s Early Wildfire Detection Service demonstrated resilience and ingenuity. Despite confronting numerous barriers, exci’s success serves as a compelling lesson, echoing the triumphs of underdogs throughout history..

Neglected at Home, Triumph Overseas – The Black Box Story

Australia faces significant challenges in translating innovative ideas into reality, a historical struggle exemplified by the development of the Black Box Flight Recorder by David Warren. Initially, Warren encountered difficulties in generating interest in his invention, with Australian authorities showing little enthusiasm. 

However, a turning point emerged in 1958 when Sir Robert Hardingham, a former British Air Vice-Marshal, voiced his admiration for the black box’s potential during an informal visit. This pivotal moment triggered a successful presentation in England, prompting the UK’s Ministry of Aviation to consider mandating the recording of instrument readings. Canada also witnessed similar success stories.

Despite the global acknowledgment of the black box’s life-saving capabilities, its progress in Australia encountered obstacles owing to a lack of domestic support. This setback allowed other nations to take the lead in its production and dominate the burgeoning market.

Cultural Barriers to Innovation in Australia

Cultural influences play a significant role in how Australia adopts innovative solutions. Previously, there was a clear preference for products from abroad, and this, combined with the undervaluing of homegrown innovations, hindered the acceptance of local technologies.

Before the pandemic, Australia witnessed the growth of a risk-averse culture that impacted businesses and innovation. This cautious approach contrasts sharply with the dynamic business adaptability and creativity observed in places like Silicon Valley. Here, a culture endorsing risk-taking and acknowledging the potential for failure has fueled considerable entrepreneurial endeavors.

Colonial Mindset and its Impact on Innovation

These circumstances bring to light the question of whether Peter Warren’s assertion about a lingering colonial mindset, as reflected in his father’s story, holds true. He argues that during his father’s time, Australia didn’t perceive itself as a global equal and often believed that significant developments were only happening overseas. Peter contends that this lack of interest in his father’s work is rooted in that colonial mindset, which he believes continues to hinder the country’s progress even today. 

Australia’s Downwards Spiral in Global Innovation Index

Australia’s disappointing 24th position out of 132 nations in the World Intellectual Property Organization’s 2023 Global Innovation Index – dropping 4 places since 2018, supports Peter’s assertion of the persisting colonial mindset in the country’s approach to innovation. In contrast, China is several spots ahead of Australia, highlighting the apparent loss of ground to agile international competitors.

Despite significant investments in research and development, Australia’s innovation ranking remains low. This can be attributed to factors such as the scarcity of top-tier academic institutions and challenges in effectively commercializing and monetizing innovations. However, the most prominent structural barrier stems from Australia’s three-year political cycle, resulting in noticeable policy inconsistencies that impede successful innovation within the country.

Beyond the Blackbox Shadow – exci’s AI Bushfire Detection 

In this context, exci stands out as an Australian company that achieved remarkable international success in the field of AI-powered bushfire detection, presenting an innovative response to a pressing global issue. 

During the 2020/21 Californian fire season, exci processed over a billion images from more than 1,000 ground-based cameras and analysed 500,000 satellite images for the presence of smoke and heat. The system monitored a staggering 130 million acres spanning across North America. During this period, exci’s system exhibited a remarkable 66% fire detection within a minute, 95% within five minutes, and nearly 100% within ten minutes, with an impressively low false positive rate. 

Challenges in Gaining Traction in Australia

Back in Australia, exci was the first to showcase its advanced AI technology’s remarkable capabilities to a worldwide audience during a live demonstration at the Sunshine Coast, Queensland in January 2021. 

During this time, Australia was still recovering from the devastating 2019/20 Black Summer bushfire, leaving long-lasting psychological scars. Giving this context, an optimistic reception for an early bushfire detection system might have been anticipated. Yet, despite praise from Australian politicians and substantial media coverage, the authorities failed to translate their praise into action.