Research & Development Capabilities (translation)

Definition

Skills for scaling and translating AI into impact, the ability to convert AI research into industrial, social or policy value. Including managing collaborative R&D, navigating funding, compliance and ethics, and scaling technology through Technology Readiness Levels. Innovation and commercialisation.

Examples

• AIML Industry Solutions Program (TRL 5–8)
• CSIRO Responsible AI Research Centre (RAI Research Centre) (CSIRO Responsible Innovation Future Science Platform).

Indicators

• Number of industry-funded AI translation projects or CRC programs
• Percentage of public R&D expenditure on AI commercialisation pathways
• TRL progression rate of AI prototypes to deployment in Australia
• Existence and scale of domestic (accredited) training capacity
• Skills & Cirricula mapped to Skills for the Information Age (SFIA) frameworks
• Presence of articulated entry level pathways (vet/uni/professional)
• Workforce participation and diversity (gender, region, age, etc.)
• Industry collaborations and placements
• Government and public sector capability
• CPD or microcredential uptake across professions
• Ratio of skilled migrants vs domestic graduates in AI roles

Stocktake

• Global labour market and skills data overview. Lightcast. 2025. Accessed October 2025.

• Australia’s AI ecosystem: Catalysing an AI industry. CSIRO. December 2023. Accessed October 2025.

• Critical Technology Tracker. Australian Strategic Policy Institute. 2025. Accessed October 2025. https://techtracker.aspi.org.au/

• National competitive grants data portal. Australian Research Council. 2025. Accessed October 2025. https://dataportal.arc.gov.au/NCGP/Web/Grant/Grants