The Small to Medium Enterprise Centre of AI (SMEC AI), a Federal Government AI adoption centre, has launched the AI Information Line, a free national phone service that gives Australian small- and – medium enterprises (SMEs) responsible, practical assistance on adopting Artificial Intelligence in a single phone call.
The service was unveiled in Melbourne at an event co-hosted with the National AI Centre (NAIC), where NAIC Executive Director Lee Hickin joined a fireside conversation on Australia’s National AI Strategy and the future of AI adoption.
The AI Information Line is built and operated in Australia by SMEC AI under the Australian Government’s AI Adopt programme.
For most small businesses, the hardest part of AI is knowing where to begin. The AI Information Line is designed to close that gap in the time it takes to make a phone call. A caller describes their problem in plain language, an AI voice agent that clearly identifies itself as AI answers within seconds, works through a structured intake and points the caller to general AI options worth considering.
After the call, the caller receives a written AI Information Summary by text, a plain-English recap of what was discussed and some suggested next steps to consider. The summary is general information rather than professional advice and callers can ask to book a time with a member of the SMEC AI team at any point.
Andrew Lai, Managing Director, SMEC AI, said: “Most small businesses don’t stall on AI because they aren’t interested. They stall because they don’t know where to start and they can’t afford to get it wrong. The AI Information Line removes that first barrier. We built this under the AI Adopt programme so that trustworthy AI assistance isn’t a privilege of big companies with big budgets. It’s a free, national front door to AI for every small business in the country.”
Lee Hickin, Executive Director, National AI Centre, said: “Australia’s opportunity in AI will be shaped by how confidently our small- and medium businesses can adopt it, safely and purposefully. That means meeting them where they are, with practical and responsible support.
“Initiatives that are built to a high standard of safety and accountability help give the SME sector a clearer, more confident path to adopt AI and that is good for the whole economy.”
