The Australian Technology and Information Industry Association (ATIIA) began the year with the launch of its Tech for Trust, Tech for Inclusion campaign, a sector-wide initiative aimed at strengthening the social responsibility of Australia’s technology community. By placing issues of equity, transparency, and access at the center of its 2026 agenda, ATIIA reaffirmed its role not only as an advocate for innovation, but as a platform for public value.
Held at ATIIA’s headquarters and livestreamed nationwide, the launch event welcomed a broad mix of attendees from the tech industry, public sector, advocacy organizations, educational institutions, and community groups. With mounting public concerns around digital inclusion, algorithmic fairness, and trust in automated systems, the campaign represents an intentional shift from abstract ethical commitments toward collective, demonstrable action.
ATIIA Chairperson Dr. Michael Torres opened the event by emphasizing that technological progress must be measured not only by capability, but by consequence. He underscored the need for systems that are intelligible, equitable, and aligned with the rights of all users. His message was clear: public trust cannot be engineered after the fact—it must be embedded by design.
Throughout the session, speakers and working groups discussed a range of action areas. On the trust front, members explored responsible AI design, ethical audit practices, and public literacy tools to help individuals better understand how algorithms shape their lives. Inclusion efforts focused on bridging digital divides, expanding access for underrepresented groups, and supporting community-driven design in the development of new platforms and services. These themes were not addressed in isolation but were deliberately treated as mutually reinforcing, revealing how trust and inclusion together define the ethical foundation of digital systems.
Several ATIIA member organizations announced projects aligned with the campaign, including inclusive technology review labs, community co-design initiatives, and low-barrier training programs targeting regional youth and older adults. Rather than promoting isolated pledges, the campaign emphasizes a networked approach—amplifying shared standards and scaling local impact across institutions and sectors.
In her closing remarks, ATIIA’s Director of Inclusion and Public Value, Lydia Park, noted that this campaign is not a branding exercise, but a directional commitment. She described Tech for Trust, Tech for Inclusion as “a posture that challenges us to lead with humility, build with others, and innovate for equity—not just efficiency.”
To track progress, ATIIA will publish a quarterly Social Impact Bulletin featuring member contributions, case studies, and reflections from across the community. The campaign will run throughout the first quarter of 2026 and is expected to shape policy recommendations and technical guidance throughout the year.
By launching this initiative at the outset of the new year, ATIIA signals its intent to champion a future in which technology is not only powerful, but meaningfully just and inclusive.