AI & Emerging Tech Learning Directory for SMEs¶

Australian businesses often face barriers to adopting AI and other emerging technologies due to limited skills, budget, and time.

This directory brings together the most relevant government-backed and open-source / Creative Commons licensed resources that businesses can freely embed into their learning and development programs.

Each resource includes details on format, eligibility, cost, and difficulty level, along with guidance for how business can integrate them.

Section 1: Government-Backed Programs¶

1. AI 101 Course for Small & Medium Businesses ¶

Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR)

Description: Builds foundational understanding of AI concepts and real-world productivity use cases tailored for SMEs.
Format: Online, self-paced short course.
Eligibility: Open to all SME owners and employees.
Cost: Free.
Difficulty: Beginner
Integration: Serve as baseline training to align staff vocabulary and identify practical AI opportunities.

2. AI Adopt Centres ¶

Business.gov.au – National Network

Description: Provides tailored diagnostics, hands-on piloting, and AI adoption roadmapping through expert guidance.
Format: Workshops, consultations, demonstrations.
Eligibility: SMEs in trade-exposed or NRF priority sectors.
Cost: Free (government-funded).
Difficulty: Intermediate
Integration: Ideal for translating awareness into strategy; embed findings into SME operations or digital plans.

3. Digital Transformation – Manufacturing AI Support ¶

Advanced Robotics Manufacturing Hub & partners

Description: Sector-focused advisory addressing AI-driven workflow optimization, robotics integration, and governance for manufacturing, energy, or agri SMEs.
Format: One-on-one advisory and hub-based support.
Eligibility: Manufacturing, energy, agriculture SMEs.
Cost: Subsidised (often free).
Difficulty: Intermediate–Advanced
Integration: Embed as capability uplift tied to process improvement or Lean transformation efforts.

4. IATD Fee-Free Courses (Microcredentials)¶

SA Government + TAFE NSW, Microsoft, UTS, Macquarie University

Description: Stackable microcredentials in AI, cybersecurity, data, software, and cloud—designed with industry partners for practical skill-building.
Format: Blended and online.
Eligibility: SME staff in SA; some availability nationally subject to scholarship.
Cost: Fee-free if funded; otherwise ~$300–$600 per unit.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Integration: Develop internal "digital upskill pathway" for key staff or AI champions.

5. TAFE NSW + National AI Centre “Introduction to AI” Microskill ¶

Description: A concise, non-technical introduction to AI, covering basics, benefits, limitations, and ethical considerations.
Format: 2–3 hour online module.
Eligibility: All Australians.
Cost: Free.
Difficulty: Beginner
Integration: Use as induction or pre-engagement prep before deeper programs like AI Adopt Centres.

6. APS Academy – “AI in Government Fundamentals”¶

Description: Covers ethical, governance, and risk aspects of AI deployment in brief, accessible form.
Format: 20–30 minute self-paced module.
Eligibility: Public servants (open access to all).
Cost: Free.
Difficulty: Beginner
Integration: Embed to establish responsible AI awareness as training baseline before operational adoption.

Section 2: Open-Source / Creative Commons Programs¶

7. MIT OpenCourseWare – AI & ML Courses ¶

MIT

Description: Deep-dive curriculum including lectures, notes, and problem sets on foundational AI and ML techniques.
Format: Full university course materials.
License: CC BY-NC-SA.
Cost: Free.
Difficulty: Intermediate–Advanced
Integration: Ideal for upskilling tech-savvy staff; use as structured internal learning modules.

8. AI Pedagogy Project ¶

Description: Curated assignments and tutorials promoting critical thinking about AI’s ethics, limitations, and societal impact.
Format: Adaptable classroom exercises, prompts, and tutorials.
License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
Cost: Free.
Difficulty: Beginner–Intermediate
Integration: Remix into internal training on AI literacy and responsible use; great for leadership/HR sessions.
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9. MIT “How to AI (Almost) Anything”¶

Description: Explores multimodal AI applications across vision, sound, sensors, and creativity—building intuition for AI’s broader capabilities.
Format: Lectures, readings, and research projects.
License: CC BY.
Cost: Free.
Difficulty: Beginner–Intermediate
Integration: Use for ideation workshops or innovation sprints; inspires cross-functional understanding.
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10. Dive into Deep Learning ¶

Description: Hands-on, open-source textbook with runnable code, blending theory, math, and implementation in Jupyter notebooks.
Format: Interactive book using PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX, with live examples.
License: Open source (Apache 2.0).
Cost: Free.
Difficulty: Advanced
Integration: Ideal for developers or data teams; use as core resource for self-learning cohorts.
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Quick Reference Table¶

Resource / Provider	Cost	Difficulty	Learning Outcome Summary
AI 101 (DISR)	Free	Beginner	Understand AI basics and productivity use cases
AI Adopt Centres	Free	Intermediate	Develop bespoke AI adoption strategies
Digital Transformation – Manufacturing AI	Subsidised	Intermediate–Advanced	Apply AI to optimise real-world processes
IATD Microcredentials	Free/paid	Intermediate	Gain industry-relevant AI, cyber, or data skills
TAFE NSW Microskill	Free	Beginner	Build foundational AI literacy and context
APS Academy – AI Fundamentals	Free	Beginner	Grasp AI governance and ethical considerations
MIT OCW AI/ML	Free	Intermediate–Advanced	Gain in-depth technical knowledge and frameworks
AI Pedagogy Project	Free	Beginner–Intermediate	Foster responsible AI understanding in workforce
MIT “How to AI (Almost) Anything”	Free	Beginner–Intermediate	Understand multimodal and creative AI potentials
Dive into Deep Learning	Free	Advanced	Build hands-on deep learning proficiency

Business Learning Pathway Recommendations¶

Begin with Awareness (Beginner):
Start all staff with AI 101, TAFE Microskill, and APS Fundamentals to build a common understanding and responsible mindset.
Next, Explore & Strategise (Intermediate):
Engage with AI Adopt Centres for tailored planning.
Empower team members towards IATD microcredentials to build internal AI capacity.
Dig Deeper (Advanced):
For technical roles, use MIT OCW and Dive into Deep Learning for structured, self-paced training.
Use MIT “How to AI (Almost) Anything” as a creative catalyst; AI Pedagogy Project for ethical reflection.
Adapt & Integrate:
Remix CC-licensed materials into internal training, ensuring proper attribution.
Combine theory and ethics training with applied strategy and execution (e.g., run an internal AI pilot using insights from Adopt Centres).

Licence¶

This page is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.

You are free to:

Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format.
Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.

Under the following terms:

Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the licence, and indicate if changes were made.
Exclusions — This licence does not apply to the SafeAI-Aus name, logo, or any third-party material referenced in this document.

Attribution statement for reuse:
“This resource was developed by SafeAI-Aus and is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Source: SafeAI-Aus.”

Full licence text: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Disclaimer¶

The purpose of this resource is to provide practical guidance on AI and emerging tech learning options available to Australian SMEs.

It does not replace formal legal, financial, or training advice.

Organisations should confirm program eligibility, funding, and licensing conditions directly with the provider.