The Human Bridge, How India and Australia Are Forging a Partnership for the AI Age
This week, New Delhi is hosting one of the world’s most significant gatherings on artificial intelligence: the AI Impact Summit. Among the dignitaries and delegates from across the globe, one presence carries particular weight—Andrew Charlton, Australia’s Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy, leading the Australian delegation.
Charlton’s connection to India is personal and longstanding. He first travelled to the country in his early 20s to launch a book about fair trade. Today, he returns not just as a minister but as a representative of a nation with deep ties to India—ties that are now being woven into the fabric of the digital age.
As Charlton writes, India and Australia are at the forefront of AI adoption. With over 50% of Australian enterprises and 71% of Indian companies adopting AI in 2024, both nations are racing ahead. But they are not racing alone. Through their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, they are deepening cooperation across cyber and critical technologies, underpinned by a shared vision for a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
The AI Imperative
Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic speculation; it is a present reality affecting entire industries and societies in complex ways. It is changing how we work, how we learn, and how we connect with one another. To remain competitive, productive, and resilient, nations need coordinated action spanning government policy, private sector adoption, and workforce reskilling.
The opportunities are immense. AI can drive productivity gains, enable new forms of innovation, and create inclusive growth. But the risks are equally immense. Algorithmic bias, job displacement, privacy violations, and the concentration of power in a few tech giants are all real concerns. Managing these risks requires not just technical solutions but political and social ones.
Charlton applauds the Indian government’s efforts to showcase how AI-enabled solutions can positively impact people, the planet, and progress. The summit is exploring ways to support the safe and responsible deployment of AI at scale, for the benefit of humanity. This is not just a technical conversation; it is a societal one.
Australia’s National AI Plan
Australia has recently published its National AI Plan, outlining the country’s desire to realise the opportunities of AI, ensure its benefits are shared, and keep people safe. The plan is built on the recognition that AI is not just an economic issue but a social and ethical one.
The plan emphasises the need for responsible AI—systems that are transparent, accountable, and aligned with human values. It calls for investment in AI skills and research, support for AI adoption by businesses, and the development of standards and regulations that protect citizens without stifling innovation.
Charlton notes that Australia’s strengths make it a reliable partner for governments and businesses seeking to build and scale responsible AI systems. These strengths include a robust research sector, a strong regulatory framework, and a commitment to democratic values and the rule of law.
The India-Australia AI Connection
India and Australia are natural partners in the AI age. Both are English-speaking democracies with common law legal systems. Both have vibrant technology sectors and deep pools of technical talent. Both face similar challenges in areas like healthcare, agriculture, and mining—sectors where AI can have transformative impact.
The numbers bear this out. With 71% of Indian enterprises and over 50% of Australian enterprises adopting AI in 2024, both countries are leaders in AI uptake. This is not just about using AI; it is about building the ecosystems that support AI innovation—research institutions, startups, venture capital, and skilled workers.
Through their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, India and Australia are deepening cooperation across cyber and critical technologies. This partnership recognises that in the 21st century, technological leadership and national security are intertwined. By working together, both countries can reduce their dependence on untrusted suppliers, build resilient supply chains, and ensure that their critical technologies reflect their values.
The 20-Year Milestone
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund—a collaboration that embodies a simple but powerful idea: that when Australia and India bring their scientific talents together, both countries get stronger.
Over two decades, the fund has supported more than 90 collaborative projects with over $100 million in joint investment. These projects span fields central to both nations’ futures: quantum computing, clean energy, agriculture, and health.
The latest round of projects continues this mission, supporting work on renewable energy, heat-tolerant rice, critical mineral recovery, anti-viral therapies, and the safety of emerging quantum systems. Each project reflects the same underlying values: shared problem-solving, scientific excellence, and a commitment to creating opportunity for both countries.
Just as important as the research itself are the relationships it builds. The fund has strengthened the bonds between Australian and Indian universities, research institutions, and industries. It has created networks of collaboration that extend far beyond any single project. And it has trained a generation of researchers who understand both the science and the importance of international partnership.
The Human Bridge
Charlton’s electorate in Sydney is home to one of Australia’s largest Indian diaspora communities. He describes them as the “human bridge” between the two nations. This is not just a rhetorical flourish; it is a statement of fact.
The Indian diaspora in Australia is large, vibrant, and deeply connected to both countries. Its members contribute to every aspect of Australian life—business, academia, medicine, politics, the arts. They maintain ties with family and friends in India, travel back and forth, and serve as living links between the two societies.
This human bridge is a national asset, and one that the Australian Government values immensely. It provides cultural understanding, economic connections, and personal relationships that no treaty or agreement can replicate. In the AI age, where trust is as important as technology, these human connections are invaluable.
The Shared Vision
Underpinning all of this is a shared vision for the Indo-Pacific. Both India and Australia want a region that is peaceful, stable, and prosperous. Both are committed to a rules-based international order where sovereignty is respected and disputes are resolved peacefully. Both are concerned about the rise of authoritarian models of governance and technology.
In the AI age, this shared vision takes on new urgency. The countries that lead in AI will shape not just the global economy but the global order. They will set the standards, write the rules, and define what responsible AI looks like. By working together, India and Australia can ensure that the AI future reflects their values—democracy, openness, and human rights.
Conclusion: A Partnership for the Future
As Charlton attends the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, he carries with him the weight of two decades of scientific collaboration, the strength of a vibrant diaspora, and the promise of a shared future. The Australia-India partnership is not just about governments; it is about people. It is about researchers who collaborate across continents, businesses that trade across oceans, and families that maintain ties across generations.
In the AI age, this partnership will only become more important. The challenges are too big, the technologies too powerful, and the stakes too high for any nation to go it alone. By working together, India and Australia can build AI systems that are not just powerful but responsible, not just profitable but inclusive, not just innovative but human.
The human bridge stands firm. The future is being built, together.
Q&A: Unpacking the India-Australia AI Partnership
Q1: What is the significance of the AI Impact Summit being held in New Delhi?
A: The AI Impact Summit is one of the world’s largest and most important gatherings on artificial intelligence, bringing together global leaders to discuss how AI can positively impact people, the planet, and progress. For India, hosting the summit signals its ambition to be a leader in AI innovation and governance. For Australia, participation underscores its commitment to working with regional partners on shared challenges. The summit provides a platform for both countries to showcase their AI capabilities, discuss responsible deployment, and deepen bilateral cooperation.
Q2: What does Australia’s National AI Plan aim to achieve?
A: Australia’s recently published National AI Plan outlines the country’s strategy to realise the opportunities of AI, ensure its benefits are shared widely, and keep people safe. It emphasises responsible AI—systems that are transparent, accountable, and aligned with human values. The plan calls for investment in AI skills and research, support for business adoption, and development of standards and regulations that protect citizens without stifling innovation. It positions Australia as a reliable partner for governments and businesses seeking to build and scale responsible AI systems.
Q3: What is the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund, and why is it important?
A: The Australia-India Strategic Research Fund is a bilateral collaboration celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2026. It has supported over 90 collaborative projects with more than $100 million in joint investment across fields like quantum, clean energy, agriculture, and health. The fund embodies the principle that when Australia and India combine their scientific talents, both countries become stronger. Beyond the research itself, it has built lasting relationships between universities, research institutions, and industries, creating networks of collaboration that extend far beyond any single project.
Q4: How does the Indian diaspora in Australia contribute to bilateral ties?
A: The Indian diaspora in Australia, particularly in constituencies like Charlton’s in Sydney, serves as a “human bridge” between the two nations. Its members contribute to every aspect of Australian life—business, academia, medicine, politics, and the arts—while maintaining deep ties with India. This diaspora provides cultural understanding, economic connections, and personal relationships that no treaty or agreement can replicate. In the AI age, where trust is as important as technology, these human connections are invaluable for building reliable partnerships.
Q5: What shared vision underpins India-Australia cooperation on AI and critical technologies?
A: Both India and Australia share a vision for a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, underpinned by a rules-based international order where sovereignty is respected. They are committed to democratic values, openness, and human rights. In the AI age, this shared vision means working together to ensure that the global standards and norms for AI reflect these values, rather than authoritarian models. By deepening cooperation through their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, both countries aim to build resilient supply chains, reduce dependence on untrusted suppliers, and shape the AI future in ways that benefit their citizens and the wider region.
