Overview

Recognising that artificial intelligence, robotics and Industry 4.0 technologies present significant opportunities to improve productivity, competitiveness and future workforce capability across regional industries, RDA Grampians delivered the Driving Regional Productivity Series. The series was designed to move beyond awareness by providing regional businesses with practical opportunities to understand, explore and adopt emerging technologies that could improve their operations, decision-making and competitiveness.

Challenge

Regional businesses are navigating rapid technological change but often have limited access to specialist advice, practical demonstrations and peer networks. RDA Grampians used its regional coordination role to connect local businesses with trusted innovation partners and practical support.

Approach

The series included AI Forums in Ballarat and Horsham and an Industry 4.0 Manufacturing Bus Tour connecting regional businesses with innovation organisations and technology specialists. More than 200 participants engaged across the series, which was delivered with regional and national partners including the National AI Centre, Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Hub, Australian Regional AI Network, Swinburne University and NorthLink.

Outcomes

• Connected regional businesses with practical information, demonstrations and expertise in AI, robotics and Industry 4.0.
• More than 200 participants attended events across the Driving Regional Productivity Series.
• Connected more than 30 businesses with one-on-one direct support to build capability within their own business.
• Created pathways for follow-up support, including site visits, workshops and tailored AI roadmap sessions.
• Generated regional intelligence to inform future business capability, industry growth and innovation activity.

Survey data showed a clear shift from awareness to practical intent. At the Ballarat Forum, 62.6% of respondents felt confident or very confident integrating AI into business after the event. At the Horsham Forum, attendees rated their pre-forum AI understanding at 5.0/10 and application at 4.8/10, while post-forum feedback showed strong interest in exploring use cases and seeking further support. Manufacturing Tour feedback reinforced this shift, with 70% feeling confident or very confident after the tour and 100% reporting changed thinking, practical ideas and new business connections.

Attendee comments included: 'Just start and give it a go”, “Important to leverage collaboration opportunities” and “Explore the possibilities”.

Impact

The Driving Regional Productivity Series demonstrated RDA Grampians’ role as a practical connector between regional businesses, government priorities and national innovation capability. It translated emerging technology into practical business opportunities, strengthened productivity capability and helped regional businesses access expertise not readily available outside metropolitan areas.