Australia : The Australian government today has awarded IBM a A$1 billion ($746 million), five-year contract to be a major technology partner on government services such as transport security, defense, border control and emergency management.
Australia aims to be one of the top-three digital governments in the world by 2025, and the deal involves IBM hardware, software and cloud-based solutions and includes joint innovation programs in quantum computing and cybersecurity. The deal is expected to make it easier and cheaper for the government to access emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain.
Some of the work that will be done by IBM’s R&D teams in Australia include the engagement of a Melbourne-based research team to accelerate the application of blockchain, artificial intelligence and quantum computing in government services. Separate units of expert computer engineers and developers will also be based on the Gold Coast and Canberra to work on cyber security solutions for data protection.
