Blog
2026-11-10
AI News for Australian Small Business: Week of 3 November 2026Six AI stories from 3 to 10 November 2026 that matter to Australian small businesses, each with one practical step to take this week.
2026-11-10
How to automate quote follow-ups without buying an expensive CRMA spreadsheet, your existing email and a simple automation tool can chase quotes for you. Here is how to set it up and stay within Australian spam rules.
2026-11-03
In the World of AI: Week of 27 October 2026, Copilot Billing Delayed, Gemini 4 Carbon GatedThe week to 3 November 2026 in AI for Australian small businesses: Copilot Business billing, a Meta owner survey, Gemini 4 Carbon and Workspace updates.
2026-10-27
In the World of AI: Week of 20 October 2026, Tech Council Sizes the SME OpportunityThe week to 27 October 2026 in AI for Australian small businesses: a $93 billion SME forecast, data breach and cyber threat reports, and guidance on AI agents.
2026-10-21
What the First Weeks of AI in a Team Should Look LikeA general guide to rolling out AI tools in a small team: who to involve, what to try first, how to set rules, and how to tell whether habits are forming.
2026-10-20
In the World of AI: Week of 13 October 2026, QuickBooks and MYOB Launch AI ToolsThe week to 20 October 2026 in AI for Australian small businesses: QuickBooks and MYOB AI launches, a Copilot buying change and new Gmail and Meet features.
2026-10-13
In the World of AI: Week of 6 October 2026, ChatGPT Moves to GPT-6The week to 13 October 2026 for Australian small businesses: GPT-6 in ChatGPT, a cheaper Claude Haiku 5.5, a regulation signal and a CPA Australia survey.
2026-10-07
Ten Questions to Ask Before You Sign With Any AI AgencyTen questions to ask any AI agency before you sign, covering scope, ownership, data and support, plus what good and worrying answers sound like.
2026-10-06
In the World of AI: Week of 29 September 2026, Google Holds Back Gemini 4 ArgonThe week to 6 October 2026 in AI for Australian small businesses: an automated decisions privacy rule, a gated Gemini model, a Claude retirement, scam advice.
2026-09-29
In the World of AI: Week of 22 September 2026, an OpenAI Agent Breaches an Australian Government PortalAI news for 23 to 29 September 2026: the OpenAI agent Medicare portal breach, Microsoft's new Copilot app, Claude Sonnet 5.5 and OpenAI's always-on Dots agents.
2026-09-23
How to Brief an AI or Software Agency So You Get What You WantedA good brief saves rework. What to put in it when hiring an AI or software agency: the problem, users, data, limits and how you will judge success.
2026-09-22
In the World of AI: Week of 15 September 2026, Claude Opus 5.5 and GPT-6 Sol Arrive TogetherAI news for 16 to 22 September 2026: Claude Cowork in every chat, new Claude and GPT-6 models, the ASD's warning on old systems and a data centre consultation.
2026-09-15
In the World of AI: Week of 8 September 2026, Gemini Starts Working Across Google WorkspaceAI news for 9 to 15 September 2026: Gemini across Workspace apps, OpenAI retiring custom GPTs, Nvidia's Australian build-out and Office 2021 support ending.
2026-09-09
Build, Buy or Configure: Choosing the Right AI Route for an SMEOff-the-shelf tool, configured automation or custom build? A decision guide for small and mid-sized businesses weighing cost, fit, control and upkeep.
2026-09-08
In the World of AI: Week of 1 September 2026, OpenAI Launches GPT-6 Astra to a Select GroupAI news for 2 to 8 September 2026: OpenAI's gated GPT-6 Astra launch, Google Workspace updates, a US warning on model copying and a new Australian bill.
2026-09-01
In the World of AI: Week of 25 August 2026, Treasury Warns Australia's AI Use Is Too ShallowAI news for 26 August to 1 September 2026: Treasury on shallow AI uptake, Claude in Chrome for all paid plans, Claudeforce for Salesforce and Claude Fable 5.1.
2026-08-26
AI Agents Without the Hype: Where They Help a Small BusinessWhat an AI agent really is, where it earns its keep in an SME, where it fails, and how to keep one on a short leash. Plain advice, no buzzwords.
2026-08-25
In the World of AI: Week of 18 August 2026, Xero Puts AI Into Bookkeeping and Claude Remembers YouAI news for 19 to 25 August 2026: Xero's AI bookkeeping tools, a targeted-scam report on small firms, Claude's shared memory and a GPT-5.6 Sol price cut.
2026-08-18
In the World of AI: Week of 11 August 2026, ASIC Warns AI Is Building Convincing Scam NetworksAI news for 12 to 18 August 2026: ASIC on AI-built scam networks, Gemini 3.7 Flash, Gemini help in the Google Admin console and OpenAI's training pause.
2026-08-12
Prompts Are Not a Strategy: What Businesses Need Beyond Clever WordingA library of good prompts helps, but it is not a plan. What an AI strategy for a small business should cover: goals, data, risk, ownership and measures.
2026-08-11
In the World of AI: Week of 4 August 2026, ASD Tells Boards to Treat AI Vendors as a RiskAI news for 5 to 11 August 2026: ASD guidance on AI vendor risk, a $125 ChatGPT Business seat, a ChatGPT model change and what OpenAI told Black Hat.
2026-08-04
In the World of AI: Week of 28 July 2026, OpenAI Cuts GPT-5.6 Prices by Up to 80%OpenAI cuts GPT-5.6 API prices, Microsoft reports 30 million Copilot seats, Google ships Workspace Gemini updates and Microsoft responds on the Word worm.
2026-07-29
Why Boring Automations Beat Impressive AI DemosInvoice matching, enquiry routing and reminder emails return more than a flashy AI demo. Why dull automations win, and how to pick your first one.
2026-07-28
In the World of AI: Week of 21 July 2026, A Worm Hidden in Copilot for WordA researcher shows hidden prompts spreading through Copilot for Word, a free AI helpline opens for SMEs, the TPB issues AI guidance and Opus 5 launches.
2026-07-21
In the World of AI: Week of 14 July 2026, Australia Announces National AI StandardsThe Prime Minister announces an Office of AI and national standards, five AI consumer priorities follow, and an OpenAI test breaches Hugging Face.
2026-07-15
What Not to Automate With AI in a Small BusinessSome work should stay with a person. A practical list of tasks to keep human, and the reasons, from client relationships to legal and tax decisions.
2026-07-14
In the World of AI: Week of 7 July 2026, GPT-5.6 Goes PublicOpenAI opens GPT-5.6 to everyone, Xero adds AI to JAX, Canberra signals tougher AI rules and Apple sues OpenAI: the week to 14 July 2026.
2026-07-07
In the World of AI: Week of 30 June 2026, Microsoft 365 and Xero Prices Rise TogetherMicrosoft 365 and Xero price changes took effect on 1 July, Copilot bundles became permanent, Fable 5 returned and a federal department shared its AI rules.
2026-07-01
Five Signs a Process Is Ready to Be AutomatedNot every task deserves automation. Five practical tests for deciding whether a business process is worth automating, and what to fix first if it is not.
2026-06-30
In the World of AI: Week of 23 June 2026, ABS Puts Australian Business AI Use at 12 PercentThe ABS counts 12% of Australian businesses using AI, Claude Sonnet 5 launches, Fable 5 returns and retailers build AI assistants: 24 to 30 June 2026.
2026-06-23
In the World of AI: Week of 16 June 2026, Five Eyes Agencies Warn AI Cyber Risk Is Months AwayFive Eyes agencies warn leaders to act within months, G7 leaders fear AI switch-offs, Suncorp tests claims agents and Apple flags price rises.
2026-06-17
Shadow AI: What Your Staff Are Already Doing With ChatbotsYour team is probably using ChatGPT or similar tools without telling you. Here is why that happens, what the risks are, and how to respond without a ban.
2026-06-16
In the World of AI: Week of 9 June 2026, Anthropic Switches Off Its Newest Model WorldwideAnthropic pulled Fable 5 for all customers, Microsoft 365 prices rise on 1 July, Zapier tiers its AI pricing, and a privacy deadline nears: 10 to 16 June 2026.
2026-06-09
In the World of AI: Week of 2 June 2026, Australia Joins the Mythos Cyber Defence ProgramAnthropic widens Mythos Preview access to Australia, ChatGPT gets a memory overhaul and Apple unveils a rebuilt Siri: 3 to 9 June 2026.
2026-06-03
Buying AI Seats Is Not the Same as Adopting AIPaying for ChatGPT, Claude or Copilot licences does not change how a team works. Here is what adoption actually takes and how to tell if you have it.
2026-06-02
In the World of AI: Week of 26 May 2026, Claude Opus 4.8 Lands and Canberra Warns of a Vulnerability StormAnthropic releases Claude Opus 4.8, Home Affairs warns of a vulnerability storm, and Microsoft opens Build with always-on agents: 27 May to 2 June 2026.
2026-05-26
In the World of AI: Week of 19 May 2026, ChatGPT Workspace Agents Reach General ReleaseChatGPT workspace agents go generally available, Square AI arrives in Australia, new SME adoption data and a CommBank agent: 20 to 26 May 2026.
2026-05-20
The Admin Tax: How Manual Work Quietly Caps a Small BusinessRetyping, chasing and reconciling eat the hours an owner needs for growth. How to see your admin tax, put a rough dollar figure on it, and start cutting it.
2026-05-19
In the World of AI: Week of 12 May 2026, Google Puts an Always-On Agent in WorkspaceGoogle's Gemini Spark agent for Workspace, Xero's agent builder, Anthropic's small business bundle and a privacy consultation: 13 to 19 May 2026.
2026-05-12
In the World of AI: Week of 5 May 2026, Microsoft Warns Patch Releases Will Keep GrowingMicrosoft expects bigger patch releases as AI finds bugs, ASIC urges cyber action, and Intuit data on small business AI use: 6 to 12 May 2026.