Deakin SME Research Centre

As Andrew Leigh MP mentioned during his opening speech at the AI in Practice: Turning Hype into Measurable SME Impact Breakfast Panel:

“The real test is whether AI helps a small business owner quote faster, roster better, market more cheaply, serve customers more personally, detect errors sooner, or spend fewer Sunday nights doing paperwork while the rest of the household is entertained with something better than MYOB. For a small business, the killer app may look like getting a decent night’s sleep.”

Yesterday at Deakin Downtown, the Deakin SME Research Centre proudly hosted a room full of 40 attendees for an insightful morning exploring how AI can create measurable and practical impact for SMEs across Australia.

A sincere thank you to Andrew Leigh for his valuable keynote and thought-provoking insights on the future of AI adoption for small businesses.

Thank you also to our moderator, Rui Torres de Oliveira, and to all of our incredible panelists Tony Bain, Yifei Wang, Jeremiah Mannings, Prof. Subhash Challa for sharing practical experiences, honest conversations, and real-world applications of AI across industries.

We truly appreciate everyone who joined us and contributed to such a meaningful discussion and networking session.

More videos, highlights, and speaker insights from the event will be shared soon.

The Australia-India Investment Initiative (Maitri Workshops) – Sydney & Brisbane

After an incredible week of deep-diving into cross-border strategy in Melbourne, the MAITRI Roadshow, organized by the Deakin SME Research Centre, is officially moving to Sydney and Brisbane.

If you’re looking to scale into India or seeking high-impact R&D partnerships, this is your roadmap to success. Specifically designed for Australian SMEs in AI, Robotics, or Health/Pharma, this program offers:
- 3 Expert-Led Workshops: Practical, face-to-face sessions focused on R&D collaboration and market entry.
- Sector-Specific Roadmaps: Leave with a strategy tailored specifically to your business goals.
- Strategic Networking: A unique chance to connect with a cohort of like-minded founders and leadersnavigating the same cross-border challenges.

The "Golden Ticket": Shortlisted leaders will join a fully funded India R&D Centres Roadshow Trip to connect directly with global innovation hubs, universities, and industry partners. This is a complete, no-cost opportunity to build your international footprint on the ground.

Save the Date:
Sydney: Wednesday, June 3 – Friday, June 5
Brisbane: Monday, June 8 – Wednesday, June 10

The bridge between Australian innovation and Indian scale is being built right now. Don’t miss your chance to join this high-impact, fully funded cohort.

Send us a DM for enquiries and registration.

The latest findings from the Australian Accountants & Bookkeepers Wellbeing Index hosted by Deakin SME Research Centre highlight a profession under increasing pressure: burnout, rising workloads, and ongoing skills demands are taking a toll on wellbeing across the industry.

There’s a clear need for stronger support systems, sustainable work design, and leadership that prioritises both performance and people.

Read the full article: https://www.accountantsdaily.com.au/business/22327-wellbeing-of-accountants-bookkeepers-below-national-benchmark-index-finds

If you’d like access to the full report, please email: [email protected].

Wellbeing of accountants, bookkeepers below national benchmark, index finds An index measuring wellbeing across the accounting and bookkeeping industry has revealed the profession is under strain and burnt out.

Explore practical AI applications for SMEs, focusing on real-world use cases and measurable business outcomes.

This breakfast panel will focus on practical applications of AI for SMEs, moving beyond the hype to explore real-world use cases and measurable business outcomes.

Key Highlights:
- Real SME case studies demonstrating AI adoption
- Insights from leading AI providers
- Practical, actionable strategies for business leaders
- Panel discussion followed by networking

The panel will be moderated by Professor Rui Torres de Oliveira, Director of the Deakin SME Centre. We are pleased to be joined by the following panellists:
- Mr Yifei Wang MACS CP Wang (Founder and CEO, AIBUILD Pty Ltd);
- Mr Jeremiah Mannings (Founder, MelbourneAI and PromptLeash);
- Mr Tony Bain (Director, ZCS and Co-Founder, Zeaware); and
- Ms Aarti Olsson (Head of Health Advisory, Medibank).

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact [email protected]

Register Now: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/breakfast-panel-ai-in-practice-turning-hype-into-measurable-sme-impact-tickets-1985685067490?aff=oddtdtcreator

SEED AI - FREE AI TRAINING: JUNE INTAKE NOW OPEN!

Whether you are a student looking to future-proof your career, an SME aiming to scale productivity, or an educator seeking to innovate in the classroom, this program is designed for you.

Why join this cohort?
- Practical Skills: Master Prompt Engineering and AI-driven productivity.
- Business Growth: Learn how AI can optimise SME operations and strategy.
- Certified Excellence: Earn an official certificate from Deakin SME Research Centre.

💰 100% FREE: Fully funded by Google.org and AVPN.

Don't miss the chance to enhance your business and workflow with the latest in AI innovation.
📅 Intake Starts: 9th June 2026
👉 Register Today: www.deakinsmecentrelms.ai