As rapid advances in AI technology continue to place the world in a 21st century “industrial revolution”, more businesses are looking to educate themselves on this emerging space.
The fast-paced environment of AI, or artificial intelligence, has the power to transform the day-to-day operations of local businesses, despite many discussions on how it will impact human roles.
A Queensland-based technology company is now hoping to inform Sunshine Coast businesses on how to effectively integrate and navigate AI with two upcoming events.
Queensland Computers, which has one of its five offices at Coolum Beach, works in the business, enterprise, government and education sectors to provide innovative technology solutions.
It also works in the not-for-profit sector donating recycled computers and equipment to organisations and individuals.
Queensland Computers director Geoff Augutis said on the Sunshine Coast the company provided managed IT services for local government, manufacturing and biotech companies.
“When the businesses that we work with are doing amazing things, in order to do those amazing things they need to manage their data and technology,” Mr Augutis said.
“If they can’t have that data in an organised fashion, then they can’t thrive.
“We help those companies protect their data, organise their data and communicate their data. In a nutshell we help companies manage their data.”
Queensland Computers also recently donated a laptop to The Range Community Kindergarten at Mapleton as part of its mission to contribute to a sustainable digital ecosystem.
It also partners with LiteHaus International to provide computers to students in remote Australian communities.
“A lot of companies are becoming more conscious about recycling in the digital space,” Mr Augutis said.
“Most companies update their devices every three years to keep up to date with the latest security software and prevent data breaches.
“We collect their old devices and we use the word ‘sanitise’ to clear them of all data and then we find new homes for those devices.
“As these devices are still functional, they are very useful for places like community kindergartens or not for profit organisations.
“We like knowing we are finding good new homes for them so they are not ending up in landfill.”
Discussing the integration of AI for businesses, Mr Augutis, who sits on several University ICT curriculum boards, said it was something worth embracing and that being proactive was key.
“There are a lot of changes coming to how people will do business and there is a lot of talk about it being like the industrial revolution, but at a faster pace,” he said.
“When people hear about AI, there is often a lot of disconnect from people making assumptions that these are just robots, but there is a human side to the adoption of AI.
“Something that we want to do as a company is to help create a sense of reassurance so people can adopt this comfortably.
“We believe education and preparation and being proactive instead of reactive is key, so that the use of AI is a chosen change rather than forced change.”
Queensland Computers, in collaboration with Microsoft, will host a Microsoft Copilot Seminar on September 27.
“With AI there is a lot of concern about the future of human jobs,” Mr Augutis said.
“Copilot is a Microsoft software designed for a seamless user experience, boosting productivity in ways that are intelligent and make sense.
“It’s about learning to work with the software to create better outcomes for your yourself and for your organisation.”
Then on October 27 Queensland Computers will host a Microsoft and the Future of Work event where local businesses can explore a Microsoft Surface Demo Centre and look at solutions to technology-related business challenges.
More information on the Microsoft Copilot Seminar is available here, and the Microsoft and the Future of Work event here. For more on Queensland Computers, visit queenslandcomputers.com.au.
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