The Indigenous Australian Datathon (IAD), which combines with knowledge of traditional owners with the cutting edge of tech, returns to Cairns in November
The IAD is an annual community and technology workshop, hosted at James Cook University’s Ideas Lab and spearheaded by software quality engineering consultancy, KJR, now in its fourth year.
Ambitious startups, creative entrepreneurs and Traditional Owners from across Australia are invited to take part with the goal of addressing real-world challenges faced by Indigenous communities, and develop practical solutions that can be transferred back with Traditional Owners into their respective communities.
Rachael Barritt, IAD program manager, said the theme for 2024 is: Igniting a Blaze of Innovation and Empowerment!
“Every year, the ideas are getting better and better. We’re seeing amazing solutions, people coming with questions that haven’t been asked before,” she said.
KJR chair Dr Kelvin Ross, an IAD founding member, said the IAD committee has partnered with passionate partners, including tech partners, universities and governmental agencies, to make the event impactful and free.
“It’s a great opportunity for bringing together people of slightly different backgrounds, who may have different viewpoints to solving unique challenges, and opening their eyes to what their role and special skills bring but also opening them up to what they can learn from others. As a team, we deliver a lot more,” he said.
Dennis Fay, founder of Torres Strait-owned and operated business Salty Monkey was part of the 2023 event.
“The best thing I got out of the Datathon was to mix in with a diverse range of people from across the regions, to really sit down, look at solutions and put together a really good pitch,” he said.
“Anyone who’s in the community that wants to join us, come along! it was really good to have passionate people come together, put some really good ideas together and share them as a solution.”
Fraser Nai, Traditional Owner on Masig Island and cofounder of Strait Experience said: “It allows a space for people to ask crazy questions for a better world. If there’s something that you really think you have a solution to, something that’s itching, something in your community, in your space, in your organisation, if you have that burning, burning desire to solve that, you should come!”
The collaborative engagement witnessed during the previous editions of the Datathon played a pivotal role in ensuring the sustainability of the solutions generated.
John Fejo, a Goondoi fanger said young people should get involved to capture the stories of their elders and their people.
“Lots of people would find the Indigenous Australian datathon really valuable, particularly people who are interested in big questions and things that are happening in the community, whether you’re an educator, business owner, an academic or researcher, a ranger, or anybody working in a community organisation,” he said.
Advance Queensland have supported the collaborative efforts of the Datathon since its inception by enabling Indigenous community leaders and Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers to attend, alongside support from Queensland government and federal Department of Industry, Science and Resources.
Dr Ross said the protection of Indigenous culture and solving community problems through digital innovation, machine learning and artificial intelligence under the guidance of community leaders and data professionals is an exciting opportunity.
“Joining hands with traditional wisdom, cutting-edge AI, and modern technology, IAD is a beacon of hope for the future,” he said.
“Be a part of this awe-inspiring event, where participants gain technical skills, work with real-world data, and build lasting connections while contributing to a brighter future for all. You don’t need to be a technologist to join, you just need to be an interested, passionate individual!”
The Indigenous Australian Datathon runs November 1-3. Sign up here.
Trending
Daily startup news and insights, delivered to your inbox.