The Western Australian government has launched a $10 million AI Investment Fund and a new AI Centre of Excellence to accelerate technology adoption across the public sector. The initiative aims to reduce administrative burdens and improve service delivery by partnering with industry and universities to pilot scalable solutions.
Funding and industry partnerships
WA Science and Innovation Minister Stephen Dawson said the fund includes a specific buying mechanism to give government agencies ready access to leading AI businesses. The government expects these pilots to increase community safety, reduce approval timeframes, and improve health and education outcomes across the state. "The advancement of AI presents significant opportunities to enhance service delivery across government functions," Dawson said.
Centralized support and governance
The new AI Centre of Excellence will deploy an uplift team to provide specialist expertise to government agencies. This team will help departments deliver high-value solutions that can be scaled across the sector. The uplift team will complement the central AI policy and governance team, which continues to support agencies in strategic decision-making. This focus on governance provides a practical foundation for officials seeking structured guidance, much like an AI Learning Path for Policy Makers. "By establishing an AI Centre of Excellence and an investment fund, we will ensure Western Australia remains at the forefront of technological innovation and that our public sector is equipped with the resources necessary to meet evolving needs," Dawson said.
Broader digital strategy alignment
The funding announcement coincides with the release of the WA Government's Digital Strategy 2026-2030. This strategy focuses on improved data sharing, enhanced public sector collaboration, workforce upskilling, and the broader implementation of AI for Government operations.
Why this matters for government professionals
Public sector employees will see increased institutional support for adopting automation and data-processing tools in their daily workflows. Agencies can now tap into dedicated uplift teams and centralized governance frameworks to pilot new technologies. This structure allows departments to test efficiency gains without bearing the full administrative risk alone.
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