Digital Economy Research — Venture Insights

6 Oct 2026 · Digital Regulation · Explainer

How Open-Weight AI Is Redrawing the Frontier - and What China's DeepSeek Moment Means for Australia

The artificial intelligence industry is cleaving into two structurally distinct camps. On one side stand the closed frontier models - proprietary systems from Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google DeepMind, accessed exclusively via metered APIs, with weights that never leave vendor-controlled infrastructur…

Digital Regulation

6 Oct 2026Explainer

How Open-Weight AI Is Redrawing the Frontier - and What China's DeepSeek Moment Means for Australia

The artificial intelligence industry is cleaving into two structurally distinct camps. On one side stand the closed frontier models - proprietary systems from Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google DeepMind, accessed exclusively via metered APIs, with weights that never leave vendor-controlled infrastructur…

23 Sept 2026 · Digital Regulation · Explainer

Is Big Tech Weaponising AI Safety to Crush Open-Source Rivals?

Between 2023 and 2026, the world's AI oligopoly shifted from publishing abstract ethical declarations to submitting comprehensive legislative blueprints to global policymakers. This explainer analyses the AI governance doctrines of Microsoft, OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, Meta, IBM, Amazon Web Service…

Digital Regulation

23 Sept 2026Explainer

Is Big Tech Weaponising AI Safety to Crush Open-Source Rivals?

Between 2023 and 2026, the world's AI oligopoly shifted from publishing abstract ethical declarations to submitting comprehensive legislative blueprints to global policymakers. This explainer analyses the AI governance doctrines of Microsoft, OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, Meta, IBM, Amazon Web Service…

8 Sept 2026 · Digital Regulation · Report

New Tax Ruling For Global Tech Giants: A Fight We Need To Have

The Australian Taxation Office's royalty ruling TR 2026/2 marks a critical turning point for digital tax equity in Australia, addressing the long-standing tax asymmetry enjoyed by foreign tech giants. By reclassifying cloud computing, streaming, and SaaS revenues as intellectual property royalties,…

Digital Regulation

8 Sept 2026Report

New Tax Ruling For Global Tech Giants: A Fight We Need To Have

The Australian Taxation Office's royalty ruling TR 2026/2 marks a critical turning point for digital tax equity in Australia, addressing the long-standing tax asymmetry enjoyed by foreign tech giants. By reclassifying cloud computing, streaming, and SaaS revenues as intellectual property royalties,…

4 Sept 2026 · Media · Report

Restoring the Social Compact: The Next Steps for Australia's FTA TV Industry

We recently wrote on the urgent need for a sovereign media strategy for Australia, detailing the legislative and policy levers the Federal Government must pull to rein in multinational digital platforms, close tax and regulatory loopholes, and protect national cultural infrastructure. The policy fa…

Media

4 Sept 2026Report

Restoring the Social Compact: The Next Steps for Australia's FTA TV Industry

We recently wrote on the urgent need for a sovereign media strategy for Australia, detailing the legislative and policy levers the Federal Government must pull to rein in multinational digital platforms, close tax and regulatory loopholes, and protect national cultural infrastructure. The policy fa…

29 July 2026 · Digital Infrastructure · Report

Red Stack Rising: Why Chinese Technology Is Winning Australia's Energy Transition

Australia faces a consequential technology choice. Over the five years to 2030, the infrastructure decisions made by households, enterprises, and policymakers in electric vehicles, home and grid-scale batteries, solar generation, and AI compute will lock in supplier relationships and strategic depe…

Digital Infrastructure

29 July 2026Report

Red Stack Rising: Why Chinese Technology Is Winning Australia's Energy Transition

Australia faces a consequential technology choice. Over the five years to 2030, the infrastructure decisions made by households, enterprises, and policymakers in electric vehicles, home and grid-scale batteries, solar generation, and AI compute will lock in supplier relationships and strategic depe…

24 July 2026 · Digital Infrastructure · Explainer

Inside the AI Efficiency Revolution: Why AI Is Getting Cheaper to Run

The Venture Insights report The Great AI Gamble argued that algorithmic efficiency breakthroughs, primarily led by Chinese AI laboratories, could render a significant portion of Australia's 5.4 GW data centre pipeline as phantom demand. This explainer unpacks the engineering behind that argument. I…

Digital Infrastructure

24 July 2026Explainer

Inside the AI Efficiency Revolution: Why AI Is Getting Cheaper to Run

The Venture Insights report The Great AI Gamble argued that algorithmic efficiency breakthroughs, primarily led by Chinese AI laboratories, could render a significant portion of Australia's 5.4 GW data centre pipeline as phantom demand. This explainer unpacks the engineering behind that argument. I…

16 July 2026 · Digital Infrastructure · Report· Free

Beyond the Green Data Centre: Australia's AI Sovereignty Gap Is In Compute, Not Kilowatts

The Albanese government's July 2026 AI strategy speech at the University of Sydney marks the most significant declaration of AI policy intent in Australian history. Its centrepiece, a legal mandate requiring large-scale data centres to become net-generators of renewable energy, returning at least a…

Digital Infrastructure

Free

16 July 2026Report

Beyond the Green Data Centre: Australia's AI Sovereignty Gap Is In Compute, Not Kilowatts

The Albanese government's July 2026 AI strategy speech at the University of Sydney marks the most significant declaration of AI policy intent in Australian history. Its centrepiece, a legal mandate requiring large-scale data centres to become net-generators of renewable energy, returning at least a…

Free to read

4 June 2026 · Media · Forecast

Australia Advertising Expenditure Forecast 2026

We forecast the total advertising market to grow at a 3.6% CAGR over the next five years, stabilised after a period of pandemic and post-pandemic disruption. Overall, the momentum of digital will be blunted by technological disruption. The beneficiaries are the ‘traditional’ media who will improve…

Media

4 June 2026Forecast

Australia Advertising Expenditure Forecast 2026

We forecast the total advertising market to grow at a 3.6% CAGR over the next five years, stabilised after a period of pandemic and post-pandemic disruption. Overall, the momentum of digital will be blunted by technological disruption. The beneficiaries are the ‘traditional’ media who will improve…

30 Apr 2026 · Enterprise ICT · Report· Free

Microsoft’s $25B Australian Investment: Avoiding AI’s Technology Lock-In

This report analyses the strategic logic of Microsoft’s Australian expansion, the financial necessity of future price hikes, the resulting risks of a global AI oligopoly, and the specific steps Australian firms must take to manage their exposure to this emerging dependency.

Enterprise ICT

Free

30 Apr 2026Report

Microsoft’s $25B Australian Investment: Avoiding AI’s Technology Lock-In

This report analyses the strategic logic of Microsoft’s Australian expansion, the financial necessity of future price hikes, the resulting risks of a global AI oligopoly, and the specific steps Australian firms must take to manage their exposure to this emerging dependency.

Free to read

2 Apr 2026 · Enterprise ICT · Report· Free

Datagrid’s NZ Data Centre Moves to Implementation - ANZ Becomes Key Node in Global Digital Infrastructure

This report analyses the strategic development of Datagrid’s hyperscale data centre in Southland, New Zealand, and the associated Tasman Ring subsea cable network. It explores how the project leverages New Zealand’s renewable energy and cool climate to create a globally competitive 'AI Factory.' Th…

Enterprise ICT

Free

2 Apr 2026Report

Datagrid’s NZ Data Centre Moves to Implementation - ANZ Becomes Key Node in Global Digital Infrastructure

This report analyses the strategic development of Datagrid’s hyperscale data centre in Southland, New Zealand, and the associated Tasman Ring subsea cable network. It explores how the project leverages New Zealand’s renewable energy and cool climate to create a globally competitive 'AI Factory.' Th…

Free to read

31 Mar 2026 · Digital Platforms · Report· Free

US Verdicts Hit Meta and YouTube - Implications for ANZ Social Media Regulation

This report analyzes the impact of landmark March 2026 US jury verdicts against Meta and YouTube on social media regulation in Australia and New Zealand. It explores how findings of negligent design and executive knowledge of harm provide a legal foundation for Australia's under-16 social media ban…

Digital Platforms

Free

31 Mar 2026Report

US Verdicts Hit Meta and YouTube - Implications for ANZ Social Media Regulation

This report analyzes the impact of landmark March 2026 US jury verdicts against Meta and YouTube on social media regulation in Australia and New Zealand. It explores how findings of negligent design and executive knowledge of harm provide a legal foundation for Australia's under-16 social media ban…

Free to read

27 Mar 2026 · Telecom · Report· Free

Telstra’s Mobile Price Hikes a Bitter Pill - For A Healthier Industry

This report analyses the 2024–2026 surge in Australian mobile pricing, led by Telstra’s May 2026 adjustments. It explores competitive responses, the strategic role of sub-brands like Boost and amaysim, and the fiscal imperative of price increases to sustain infrastructure investment amidst rising c…

Telecom

Free

27 Mar 2026Report

Telstra’s Mobile Price Hikes a Bitter Pill - For A Healthier Industry

This report analyses the 2024–2026 surge in Australian mobile pricing, led by Telstra’s May 2026 adjustments. It explores competitive responses, the strategic role of sub-brands like Boost and amaysim, and the fiscal imperative of price increases to sustain infrastructure investment amidst rising c…

Free to read

Digital Economy Research, Forecasts & Analysis

Featured Digital Economy research

How Open-Weight AI Is Redrawing the Frontier - and What China's DeepSeek Moment Means for Australia

Is Big Tech Weaponising AI Safety to Crush Open-Source Rivals?

New Tax Ruling For Global Tech Giants: A Fight We Need To Have

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Digital Economy analysts

How Open-Weight AI Is Redrawing the Frontier - and What China's DeepSeek Moment Means for Australia

How Open-Weight AI Is Redrawing the Frontier - and What China's DeepSeek Moment Means for Australia

Is Big Tech Weaponising AI Safety to Crush Open-Source Rivals?

Is Big Tech Weaponising AI Safety to Crush Open-Source Rivals?

New Tax Ruling For Global Tech Giants: A Fight We Need To Have

New Tax Ruling For Global Tech Giants: A Fight We Need To Have

Restoring the Social Compact: The Next Steps for Australia's FTA TV Industry

Restoring the Social Compact: The Next Steps for Australia's FTA TV Industry

Red Stack Rising: Why Chinese Technology Is Winning Australia's Energy Transition

Red Stack Rising: Why Chinese Technology Is Winning Australia's Energy Transition

Inside the AI Efficiency Revolution: Why AI Is Getting Cheaper to Run

Inside the AI Efficiency Revolution: Why AI Is Getting Cheaper to Run

Beyond the Green Data Centre: Australia's AI Sovereignty Gap Is In Compute, Not Kilowatts

Beyond the Green Data Centre: Australia's AI Sovereignty Gap Is In Compute, Not Kilowatts

Australia Advertising Expenditure Forecast 2026

Australia Advertising Expenditure Forecast 2026

Microsoft’s $25B Australian Investment: Avoiding AI’s Technology Lock-In

Microsoft’s $25B Australian Investment: Avoiding AI’s Technology Lock-In

Datagrid’s NZ Data Centre Moves to Implementation - ANZ Becomes Key Node in Global Digital Infrastructure

Datagrid’s NZ Data Centre Moves to Implementation - ANZ Becomes Key Node in Global Digital Infrastructure

US Verdicts Hit Meta and YouTube - Implications for ANZ Social Media Regulation

US Verdicts Hit Meta and YouTube - Implications for ANZ Social Media Regulation

Telstra’s Mobile Price Hikes a Bitter Pill - For A Healthier Industry

Telstra’s Mobile Price Hikes a Bitter Pill - For A Healthier Industry

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