Neural Notes: Australia closer to AI regulation, big Microsoft and Samsung news

Neural Notes is back for 2024! If you’re new around these parts, or somehow managed to miss the onslaught of AI on our collective consciousness last year (congratulations), this is a weekly column where we dive into the most interesting, important and bizarre AI news of the week.

AI emerged as the biggest business trend in 2023 and there is no signs of this slowing down. So we’re back in the AI saddle for another year — and things are already off to a strong start.

This week we saw:

• The Albanese government release its plans to ensure the safe and responsible use of AI, which has garnered reactions from many in the tech sector, including the Tech Council of Australia;
• Microsoft announce Copilot Pro and remove its minimum seat requirements for Copilot for Microsoft 365 — a huge development for SMEs; and
• Samsung — the world’s biggest smartphone maker — unveil its first handset powered by generative AI software.

We know this is only the beginning of what will be another massive year for AI, and we’ll be closely following some of the most exciting Australian startups in this space.

And this is where you come in. I’m on the hunt for Aussie startups and SMEs doing genuinely interesting and innovative things in AI. If you have any scoops, leads and juicy goss that you would like to see in the next edition of Neural Notes, email us on news@smartcompany.com.au