Australia is fast becoming prime real estate for the growing AI data centre rollout. But why now? 

As multi-billion-dollar projects expand, we're grappling with how to balance the economic potential with the pressure on our energy grids and water supplies.

Associate Professor Kristle Romero Cortes is Senior Deputy Director of the UNSW Institute for Climate Risk and Response. She explains the economic drivers, environmental risks and how this data centre expansion could be done sustainably.  

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The Business Of podcast is brought to you by the University of New South Wales Business School, produced with Deadset Studios. It’s hosted by Professor Fahim Khondaker, and the transcript can be found on our website. 

Want to follow the latest research and news from UNSW Business School and AGSM @ UNSW Business School? Subscribe to our industry stories at BusinessThink and follow UNSW Business School and AGSM on LinkedIn. Or listen to more episodes of The Business Of and subscribe to our UNSW Business School and AGSM channels on YouTube. 

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this show was made. 

Australia is fast becoming prime real estate for the growing AI data centre rollout. But why now?&nbsp;
As multi-billion-dollar projects expand, we're grappling with how to balance the economic potential with the pressure on our energy grids and water supplies.
Associate Professor Kristle Romero Cortes is Senior Deputy Director of the UNSW Institute for Climate Risk and Response. She explains the economic drivers, environmental risks and how this data centre expansion could be done sustainably.&nbsp;&nbsp;
+++&nbsp;
The Business Of podcast is brought to you by the University of New South Wales Business School, produced with <a href="http://deadsetstudios.com/">Deadset Studios</a>. It&rsquo;s hosted by<a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/fahim-khondaker"> Professor Fahim Khondaker</a>, and the transcript can be found <a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/business/our-schools/agsm/about-us/the-business-of-podcast">on our website.</a>&nbsp;
Want to follow the latest research and news from UNSW Business School and AGSM @ UNSW Business School? Subscribe to our industry stories at <a href="https://www.businessthink.unsw.edu.au/">BusinessThink</a> and follow <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/school/3274515/">UNSW Business School</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/school/agsm-nswbusinessschool/">AGSM</a> on LinkedIn. Or listen to more episodes of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQbonRH_ZoP6HvuwtyFG3yESJ5ag-o34w">The Business Of</a> and subscribe to our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@unswbusiness/videos">UNSW Business School</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/AGSMatUNSWBusinessSchool">AGSM</a> channels on YouTube.&nbsp;
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this show was made.&nbsp;

AI used to be a technical decision. Now it's a business one.  

Leading thinkers break down how AI is reshaping the world of work, and what that means for the future. Hosted by Fahim Khondaker, Partner in Data and AI at BDO and Professor of Practice at UNSW. 

The Business Of: AI  Explained  a podcast by UNSW Business School.

Find out more 

https://www.unsw.edu.au/business/our-schools/agsm/about-us/the-business-of-podcast   

https://www.businessthink.unsw.edu.au/ 

UNSW YouTube

AI used to be a technical decision. Now it's a business one.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Leading thinkers break down how AI is reshaping the world of work, and what that means for the future. Hosted by Fahim Khondaker, Partner in Data and AI at BDO and Professor of Practice at UNSW. 
The Business Of: AI  Explained  a podcast by UNSW Business School.
Find out more&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/business/our-schools/agsm/about-us/the-business-of-podcast">https://www.unsw.edu.au/business/our-schools/agsm/about-us/the-business-of-podcast&nbsp;</a> &nbsp;
<a href="https://www.businessthink.unsw.edu.au/">https://www.businessthink.unsw.edu.au/</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQbonRH_ZoP6HvuwtyFG3yESJ5ag-o34w">UNSW YouTube</a>

AGSM's 'The Business Of’ podcast examines the possibilities of transformation from the perspective of different industries.

The Business Of

AI used to be a technical decision. Now it's a business one.  

Leading thinkers break down how AI is reshaping the world of work, and what that means for the future. Hosted by Fahim Khondaker, Partner in Data and AI at BDO and Professor of Practice at UNSW. 

The Business Of: AI  Explained  a podcast by UNSW Business School.

Find out more 

Youtube

https://www.unsw.edu.au/business/our-schools/agsm/about-us/the-business-of-podcast   

https://www.businessthink.unsw.edu.au/ 

AI used to be a technical decision. Now it's a business one.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Leading thinkers break down how AI is reshaping the world of work, and what that means for the future. Hosted by Fahim Khondaker, Partner in Data and AI at BDO and Professor of Practice at UNSW. 
The Business Of: AI  Explained  a podcast by UNSW Business School.
Find out more&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGe2vMwbU1w85BQiYc7og1Q">Youtube</a>
<a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/business/our-schools/agsm/about-us/the-business-of-podcast">https://www.unsw.edu.au/business/our-schools/agsm/about-us/the-business-of-podcast&nbsp;</a> &nbsp;
<a href="https://www.businessthink.unsw.edu.au/">https://www.businessthink.unsw.edu.au/</a>&nbsp;

Australia's abundant resources and political stability make it a magnet for investment in AI data centres.   The challenge is ensuring data centres expand in ways that balance economic opportunity with environmental responsibility. UNSW’s Associate Professor Kristle Romero Cortes explains how Australia can capture the benefits of AI infrastructure while managing the risks.  

AI data centres in Australia - Balancing economic growth and environmental impact 

Can one person build a billion-dollar company with AI? The tools have expanded what a single founder can do, but how realistic is a “one-person unicorn”? 

David Burt, Director of Entrepreneurship at UNSW Sydney, works with thousands of entrepreneurs through the UNSW Founders program. In recent investment cohorts, solo founders jumped from 5% to 20% of the group. Startups today can be built faster than ever, but David says investors still look closely at the team behind the product. 

David explains how small teams can use AI tools, what investors want to see, and why established leaders should start experimenting now. 

+++ 

Want to hear more about startups? Listen to our episode with Roby Sharon Zipser, the founder of Hipages, an online marketplace for tradespeople and people who need them. 

The Business Of podcast is brought to you by the University of New South Wales Business School, produced with Deadset Studios. It’s hosted by Professor Fahim Khondaker, and the transcript can be found on our website. 

Want to follow the latest research and news from UNSW Business School and AGSM @ UNSW Business School? Subscribe to our industry stories at BusinessThink and follow UNSW Business School and AGSM on LinkedIn. Or listen to more episodes of The Business Of and subscribe to our UNSW Business School and AGSM channels on YouTube. 

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this show was made. 

Can one person build a billion-dollar company with AI? The tools have expanded what a single founder can do, but how realistic is a &ldquo;one-person unicorn&rdquo;?&nbsp;
David Burt, Director of Entrepreneurship at UNSW Sydney, works with thousands of entrepreneurs through the UNSW Founders program. In recent investment cohorts, solo founders jumped from 5% to 20% of the group. Startups today can be built faster than ever, but David says investors still look closely at the team behind the product.&nbsp;
David explains how small teams can use AI tools, what investors want to see, and why established leaders should start experimenting now.&nbsp;
+++&nbsp;
Want to hear more about startups? <a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/business/our-schools/agsm/about-us/the-business-of-podcast/the-business-of-successful-startups">Listen</a> to our episode with Roby Sharon Zipser, the founder of <a href="https://hipages.com.au/get_quotes_ppc?source=ppc&amp;utm_content=dualad&amp;utm_source=adwords&amp;utm_campaign=C23:Brand-Revvim&amp;utm_term=hi%20pages&amp;utm_medium=ppc&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=21767572704&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADJWCJiiz4HHVzGj5lC7tY52PKdWP&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwzsjVBhC3ARIsALnMv4nRWnkgMgfoS3XOaP1LJ27peitkGKDuEJZN40N-Mg1FJXJVwdKYblwaAuZLEALw_wcB">Hipages,</a> an online marketplace for tradespeople and people who need them.&nbsp;
The Business Of podcast is brought to you by the University of New South Wales Business School, produced with <a href="http://deadsetstudios.com/">Deadset Studios</a>. It&rsquo;s hosted by<a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/fahim-khondaker"> Professor Fahim Khondaker</a>, and the transcript can be found <a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/business/our-schools/agsm/about-us/the-business-of-podcast">on our website.</a>&nbsp;
Want to follow the latest research and news from UNSW Business School and AGSM @ UNSW Business School? Subscribe to our industry stories at <a href="https://www.businessthink.unsw.edu.au/">BusinessThink</a> and follow <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/school/3274515/">UNSW Business School</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/school/agsm-nswbusinessschool/">AGSM</a> on LinkedIn. Or listen to more episodes of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQbonRH_ZoP6HvuwtyFG3yESJ5ag-o34w">The Business Of</a> and subscribe to our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@unswbusiness/videos">UNSW Business School</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/AGSMatUNSWBusinessSchool">AGSM</a> channels on YouTube.&nbsp;
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this show was made.&nbsp;

AI tools are making it easier for founders to build start-ups with no teams and minimal infrastructure. UNSW Director of Entrepreneurship David Burt explains whether it’s actually feasible to build a real company entirely alone. 

Building a startup using AI? This is what investors are looking for 

What sets your business apart when your competitors all have access to the same AI capabilities?  

AI is the biggest technological shift of our generation, and it could completely revolutionise your business. But simply bolting AI tools onto your pre-existing workflows won't give you a competitive edge. So how can you re-design how you work, with AI in mind?  

UNSW Business School Dean Proessor Paul Andon says, "the trap is rushing straight into application. We need to think first, act next."  

If the future of work is AI-driven, how will you adapt? 

+++ 

Interested in hearing more about AI and work? Listen to our episode with Scientia Professor Toby Walsh, Chief Scientist at the UNSW AI Institute   

The Business Of podcast is brought to you by the University of New South Wales Business School, produced with Deadset Studios. It’s hosted by Professor Fahim Khondaker, and the transcript can be found on our website. 

Want to follow the latest research and news from UNSW Business School and AGSM @ UNSW Business School? Subscribe to our industry stories at BusinessThink and follow UNSW Business School and AGSM on LinkedIn. Or listen to more episodes of The Business Of and subscribe to our UNSW Business School and AGSM channels on YouTube. 

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this show was made. 

What sets your business apart when your competitors all have access to the same AI capabilities?&nbsp;&nbsp;
AI is the biggest technological shift of our generation, and it could completely revolutionise your business. But simply bolting AI tools onto your pre-existing workflows won't give you a competitive edge. So how can you re-design how you work, with AI in mind?&nbsp;&nbsp;
UNSW Business School Dean Proessor Paul Andon says, "the trap is rushing straight into application. We need to think first, act next."&nbsp;&nbsp;
If the future of work is AI-driven, how will you adapt?&nbsp;
+++&nbsp;
Interested in hearing more about AI and work? Listen to our <a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/business/our-schools/agsm/about-us/the-business-of-podcast/the-business-of-ai-and-jobs">episode</a> with <a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/toby-walsh">Scientia Professor Toby Walsh</a>, Chief Scientist at the <a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/unsw-ai">UNSW AI Institute</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;
The Business Of podcast is brought to you by the University of New South Wales Business School, produced with <a href="http://deadsetstudios.com/">Deadset Studios</a>. It&rsquo;s hosted by<a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/fahim-khondaker"> Professor Fahim Khondaker</a>, and the transcript can be found <a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/business/our-schools/agsm/about-us/the-business-of-podcast">on our website.</a>&nbsp;
Want to follow the latest research and news from UNSW Business School and AGSM @ UNSW Business School? Subscribe to our industry stories at <a href="https://www.businessthink.unsw.edu.au/">BusinessThink</a> and follow <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/school/3274515/">UNSW Business School</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/school/agsm-nswbusinessschool/">AGSM</a> on LinkedIn. Or listen to more episodes of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQbonRH_ZoP6HvuwtyFG3yESJ5ag-o34w">The Business Of</a> and subscribe to our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@unswbusiness/videos">UNSW Business School</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/AGSMatUNSWBusinessSchool">AGSM</a> channels on YouTube.&nbsp;
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this show was made.&nbsp;

Professor Paul Andon, Dean of UNSW Business School, on why AI strategy should begin before the first prompt, and what your business should do next. 

Is AI being bolted onto old workflows, or built into new ways to work?

For generations, the roadmap to the “Australian Dream” was linear: get an education, work hard, buy a house, and set yourself up for life. But today, even high earners find themselves at the mercy of a skyrocketing property market.  

If you’re finding it harder to buy assets, spend, and invest, plus wealth is tied up in older generations, what does that mean for the future of our economy? 

UNSW Vice Chancellor’s Professor Richard Holden warns that when the dream of homeownership feels out of reach, it could trigger a bigger psychological shift. "If people think that they're never going to own a home, never going to be able to build wealth, and don’t have a stake in their future, then that's a very damaging thing."  

If you can't rely on bricks and mortar to build wealth, how do you get ahead? 

+++ 

Interested in hearing about how businesses are reacting to the housing shortage?  Listen to our episode with UNSW Professor Philip Oldfield.  

The Business Of podcast is brought to you by the University of New South Wales Business School, produced with Deadset Studios. It’s hosted by Dr Juliet Bourke, and the transcript can be found on our website. 

Want to follow the latest research and news from UNSW Business School and AGSM @ UNSW Business School? Subscribe to our industry stories at BusinessThink and follow UNSW Business School and AGSM on LinkedIn. Or listen to more episodes of The Business Of and subscribe to our UNSW Business School and AGSM channels on YouTube. 

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this show was made. 

For generations, the roadmap to the &ldquo;Australian Dream&rdquo; was linear: get an education, work hard, buy a house, and set yourself up for life. But today, even high earners find themselves at the mercy of a skyrocketing property market.&nbsp;&nbsp;
If you&rsquo;re finding it harder to buy assets, spend, and invest, plus wealth is tied up in older generations, what does that mean for the future of our economy?&nbsp;
UNSW Vice Chancellor&rsquo;s Professor Richard Holden warns that when the dream of homeownership feels out of reach, it could trigger a bigger psychological shift. "If people think that they're never going to own a home, never going to be able to build wealth, and don&rsquo;t have a stake in their future, then that's a very damaging thing."&nbsp;&nbsp;
If you&nbsp;can't&nbsp;rely on bricks and mortar&nbsp;to build wealth, how do you&nbsp;get ahead?&nbsp;
+++&nbsp;
Interested in hearing about how businesses are reacting to the housing shortage?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/business/our-schools/agsm/about-us/the-business-of-podcast/the-business-of-housing">&nbsp;Listen </a>to our episode with UNSW Professor Philip Oldfield.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The Business Of&nbsp;podcast is brought to you by the University of New South Wales Business School, produced with&nbsp;<a href="http://deadsetstudios.com/">Deadset Studios</a>.&nbsp;It&rsquo;s&nbsp;hosted by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/juliet-bourke">Dr Juliet Bourke,</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;the&nbsp;transcript&nbsp;can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/business/our-schools/agsm/about-us/the-business-of-podcast">on our website.</a>&nbsp;
Want to follow the latest research and news from UNSW Business School and AGSM @ UNSW Business School? Subscribe to our industry stories at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.businessthink.unsw.edu.au/">BusinessThink</a>&nbsp;and follow&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/school/3274515/">UNSW Business School</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/school/agsm-nswbusinessschool/">AGSM</a>&nbsp;on LinkedIn. Or listen to more episodes of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQbonRH_ZoP6HvuwtyFG3yESJ5ag-o34w">The Business Of</a>&nbsp;and subscribe to our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@unswbusiness/videos">UNSW Business School</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/AGSMatUNSWBusinessSchool">AGSM</a> channels on YouTube.&nbsp;
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this show was made.&nbsp;

The generational wealth gap is changing how Australians build financial security. UNSW Vice Chancellor’s Professor Richard Holden explains why investing in your skills may be the most valuable investment you can make in a changing economy.

AI data centres in Australia - Balancing economic growth and environmental impact

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