Tech Council of Australia presents AI x SME, from Curiosity to Capability. Tagline: One free day, real tools, no jargon. Friday 23 October 2026, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour

SUPPORTED BY

PART OF

25% of SMEs currently use AI in some form; only 5% have achieved broad adoption; but 94% of those using it report increased productivity
The challenge isn't knwoing AI exists, it's knowing where to begin.

AI can help small businesses save time, improve productivity, strengthen customer service and compete more effectively, but for many owners the barrier is understanding which tools are relevant and how to adopt them safely.

This event is a practical, open-access activation that brings technology providers, industry associations, government programs and small businesses into one trusted environment.

Attendees explore real applications, compare solutions and speak directly with providers about their own challenges.

AI for retail

Running a retail business means juggling customers, staff, stock, suppliers, marketing and the day-to-day admin that never seems to stop.

AI can help you spend less time on repetitive tasks and more time running your business.
 

Made for retail owners who want to:

  • Reduce time spent on stock, ordering and repetitive administration
  • Improve customer service and communication
  • Create marketing and social content more efficiently
  • Manage staff, rostering and workforce processes
  • Make better use of sales and customer data
  • Find practical tools that can save time without adding complexity
     

Explore practical AI tools, speak directly with providers and discover where AI could make a difference in your retail business.

AI for hospitality

If you run a café, restaurant, bar, catering business or other hospitality operation, you know how quickly the day fills up.

Between customers, staff, rosters, bookings, suppliers, stock and the never-ending admin, there is a lot to manage.

AI can help make the business behind the business easier to run.


Made for hospitality owners who want to:

  • Reduce time spent on rostering and repetitive administration
  • Improve customer communication and service
  • Manage bookings, staff and workforce processes
  • Create marketing and social content more efficiently
  • Make better use of sales and business data
  • Find practical ways to support busy teams
     

Explore real AI applications, compare solutions and find tools that could help take some of the pressure off your day-to-day operations.

AI for Construction

Running a construction business involves a lot more than what happens on site.

Between quoting, scheduling, projects, suppliers, employees, compliance, invoices and client communication, the admin can quickly pile up.

AI can help reduce the administrative load and improve the way your business operates.
 

Made for construction owners who want to:

  • Reduce time spent on quoting, paperwork and administration
  • Manage projects, schedules and deadlines
  • Simplify staff and workforce processes
  • Improve communication with clients, suppliers and teams
  • Strengthen financial and operational decision-making
  • Find practical tools that support your team without creating more work

 

See AI tools demonstrated through real business use cases and discover where they could fit into the way your construction business already works.

AI for construction businesses

Running a construction business involves a lot more than what happens on site.

Between quoting, scheduling, projects, suppliers, employees, compliance, invoices and client communication, the admin can quickly pile up.

AI can help reduce the administrative load and improve the way your business operates.
 

Made for construction owners who want to:

  • Reduce time spent on quoting, paperwork and administration
  • Manage projects, schedules and deadlines
  • Simplify staff and workforce processes
  • Improve communication with clients, suppliers and teams
  • Strengthen financial and operational decision-making
  • Find practical tools that support your team without creating more work


See AI tools demonstrated through real business use cases and discover where they could fit into the way your construction business already works.

AI is already producing measurable productivity and workforce benefits, but adoption among Australian small businesses is early and uneven.

What owners currently need:

  • A single, trusted environment for practical AI use cases
  • An easy way to compare relevant tools and solutions
  • Direct access to providers who answer in plain language
  • Confidence to adopt AI safely and responsibly

 

Against a background that shows a cafe setting with someone ordering over the counter are 4 pointers. 1. Receive one-to-one guidance from technology providers. 2. Join short, accessible workshops. 3. Understand privacy, security and risk. 4. See AI tools demonstrated through business use cases
Who should attemd?Owners and operators who are curious but don't know where to start

If you are looking for productive ways to:

  • Reduce time spent on repetitive administration
  • Manage staff, rostering and workforce processes
  • Strengthen financial & operational decision-making
  • Improve customer service