CSIRO Digital Productivity and NICTA to join forces

CSIRO’s Digital Productivity flagship is set to merge with NICTA, creating what has been described as one of the largest digital innovation teams in the world.

Researchers from the two organisations will come together to form a new CSIRO entity called Data61. According to Minister for Industry and Science Ian Macfarlane, the new entity builds on the organisations’ impressive track records in digital innovation and demonstrated ability to take home-grown technologies to market.

“Together they will be a force to be reckoned with, creating an internationally recognised digital research powerhouse that will benefit Australian industry as it reaches into new global markets and seizes new opportunities for jobs and growth,” Macfarlane said.

“Having a single national organisation will enable Data61 to produce focused research that will deliver strong economic returns and ensure that Australia remains at the forefront of digital innovation,” added Minister for Communications Malcolm Turnbull.

“The new combined entity will continue to train Australia’s future digital technology leaders through the enhanced PhD program, with more than 300 technology PhDs enrolled at partner universities.”

Data61 will be led by Australian technology entrepreneur Adrian Turner, who has spent the past 18 years building his own companies in Silicon Valley. Turner said his vision for Data61 is to harness the start-up culture of NICTA and multidisciplinary strength of CSIRO to deliver maximum benefit to Australia.

“So much of our understanding and interaction with the world is underpinned by digital technology and data,” he said. “It is a fast moving and big growth area for Australia and Australian industry, and Data61 will be well positioned to play a leading role in defining the new economic structures and opportunities that are emerging globally.”

The merger has been welcomed by Australian Industry Group Chief Executive Innes Willox, who claims Data61 will “spur the momentum for greater and closer collaboration between the research and business communities”.

“The move will help broaden both organisations’ established networks, deepen their talent pool and create a strong united research agency,” Willox said.

“Ai Group looks forward to working with the new Data61 research agency as it continues to drive ICT innovation with industry.”

Image caption: Adrian Turner.