We are thrilled to announce that our AI for Good digital inclusion program has been recognised as a finalist in the Australian Financial Review’s AI Awards 2026.
The Australian Financial Review’s AI Awards celebrate groundbreaking achievements in artificial intelligence, honouring organisations and leaders who are shaping the future across several impact categories.
Good Things’ innovative AI for Good program was a finalist in the Research & Education category. This award category recognises AI solutions and innovations that have contributed to advancing research, knowledge sharing, and educational opportunities.
AI for Good provides essential AI literacy educational resources for people with low digital confidence and skills, supporting both individuals and organisations to understand and apply AI effectively and safely.
1 in 5 Australians are digitally excluded and 1 in 4 find it hard to keep up with constant and rapid tech changes.
AI has the potential to make Australia more inclusive and create billions in economic benefits. But, to achieve this vision, we need to use and distribute AI technology ethically and equally. Everyone needs to have the skills and confidence to use AI responsibly and safely.
AI for Good supports people most at risk of being left behind to keep up with tech.
Understanding the challenge
To deliver AI literacy programs effectively, we needed to first understand the intersection between AI literacy and digital inclusion, with a focus on the skills needed to responsibly interact with AI and current levels of understanding, motivation and confidence using emerging technology. We consulted with grassroots organisations, experts from government, academia, technology and social impact sectors, and heard from people seeking essential digital skills learning support.
Our research findings are published in the Understanding AI literacy and digital inclusion: How we can use AI for Good report, available for free for the digital inclusion, technology and social impact to reference and use.
Creating the solution
Initially focusing on supporting women from migrant and refugee backgrounds, AI for Good has since expanded to diverse, digitally excluded communities across Australia. We’ve created tailored AI learning resources to support our partner community organisations to deliver digital literacy sessions in their community on key topics including verifying information, generating AI content and more. And, the program has trained and supported digital mentors working in communities across the country to deliver these educational programs, building long term capacity while delivering immediate benefits to their communities.
The good news is that 83% of AI for Good participants are now more confident spotting and verifying AI content, with 83% reporting that they increased their knowledge of AI thanks to the support they received.
Our impact is not achieved alone
We’re proud to be a finalist of the Australian Financial Review’s AI Award for Research & Education for this impactful program. We could not have done it without our committed network of community partners, passionate digital mentors, our participants willing to take that step to learn something new, and of course our valued funding partners Telstra, Microsoft and Linkedin. We thank them for their hard work and commitment to closing the digital divide.
Being a finalist in this award is important recognition of the importance of ensuring no one is left behind as AI transforms technology and everyday life.
On 2 June 2026, the Good Things team were joined by AI Hub Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Community College and Telstra in attending the AI Awards event.
We congratulate all the winners and fellow finalists for their achievements and incredible impact.
What’s next for AI for Good?
With the support of our partners, AI for Good is continuing to close the emerging AI digital divide. We are creating and collating AI literacy learning content for beginners, continuing community based learning through local AI Hubs and rolling out AI support across our digital literacy programs
We’re supporting people to make more confident and informed decisions about how they use and keep up with emerging technology. By ensuring a strong focus on essential AI literacy skills, building long lasting skillsets in community organisations, and empowering people through education, AI for Good is ensuring those who would otherwise be left out of the conversation are responsibly and ethically supported to participate in an AI powered world.