Media release – AI Literacy and digital inclusion report highlights urgent need for digital skills

Sydney, Australia – Good Things Australia, in collaboration with Microsoft and Telstra, announces the launch of the Digital Sisters: AI for Good project that will support refugee and migrant women in building their understanding and use of AI. 

The Digital Sisters AI for Good project will launch inclusive learning materials through 20 national partners and train 40 Digital Mentors to reach 600 women. Additionally, 3,500 community organisations will gain access to program resources via Good Things networked model.

Jess Wilson, CEO of Good Things, stated, “We’re thrilled to be launching this work that will support women in building the skills and confidence to engage with AI and other emerging technologies so they don’t get left behind.” She added, “We are grateful for our partnership with Telstra and Microsoft on this groundbreaking initiative.”

As part of Digital Sisters AI for Good, Good Things Australia conducted extensive research into the intersection between AI literacy and digital inclusion, through surveys with community organisations and consultations with individuals from various sectors. They also engaged directly with refugee and migrant women. Insights were refined during a cross-sector roundtable in early May.

Key findings from Digital Sisters AI for Good report include:

• Barriers to AI engagement mirror those faced by the digitally excluded, including low digital ability, affordability, access to technology, and regional disparities.
• AI Literacy was widely understood as having the skills and knowledge to effectively, responsibly and safely use AI tools and is made up of intersecting literacies including digital, data, information, and language literacy.
• Ethical concerns around AI development, included online harm, data privacy, and bias in existing tools.
• A general lack of awareness about AI among migrant and refugee women, despite its daily use.
• A person needs to have basic digital and literacy skills to use AI powered tools and devices, although AI tools can help to overcome some barriers to technology use.

“It’s not just about how to use AI, supporting people to build their AI literacy means being able to critically analyse information that is created by AI,” said Wilson. “But this is not just an individual responsibility, we need to engage in a public conversation about AI’s benefits and risks, ensuring that the continued digitisation that is occurring as a result of AI does not leave people further behind.” 

Lyndall Stoyles, Group Executive, Sustainability, External Affairs, and Legal at Telstra, added

“Understanding and closing Australia’s digital divide is core to our work at Telstra, and it’s never been more critical. This project is about more than just teaching AI skills – it’s about opening doors for women who are often left out of the digital conversation. By focusing on AI literacy, we’re helping support a future where more women can take control of their digital lives and fully participate in the opportunities of a tech-driven society. “

Jo Dooley, General Manager, Enterprise Commercial at Microsoft, noted

“At Microsoft, we believe that economic growth and opportunity should be accessible to everyone, and this begins with equipping all individuals with the skills needed to thrive in a digital, AI-driven economy, while also addressing the unique challenges women face in our digital world. We’re thrilled to collaborate with Good Things Australia and Telstra to empower more women through the Digital Sisters AI for Good program.”

The Digital Sisters  AI for Good program continues Good Things Australia’s commitment to digital inclusion, aiming to empower women with the skills to navigate and leverage AI technologies safely. “Educational materials on AI technologies should prioritise practical, relatable, and culturally appropriate approaches,” concluded Wilson. “We look forward to working with 20 of our community partners across the country to develop and test approaches to learning about AI and watching as refugee and migrant women use these tools to improve their lives.”  

Download the report

We have a four-page report snapshot you can download to check the main findings.  Download the report snapshot

You can also read and download the full report to learn about the consultation process, findings, recommendations, and more. Download the full report

About Good Things Australia

Good Things Australia is a  future-focused digital inclusion leader, advocating, partnering, educating and innovating to ensure no one is left behind in the digital world.
We develop and deliver a range of innovative digital inclusion programs to support those most in need, including people over 50 years of age, people with intellectual disability, migrant and refugee women, people with chronic health conditions, carers and low income families.

We partner and collaborate with other social impact organisations, industry and government to provide holistic, sustainable and impactful digital inclusion programs and to advocate to close the digital divide.

Good Things Australia is part of the Good Things Foundation Group, delivering digital inclusion programs in the UK for over 10 years and in Australia since 2017

For media inquiries, please contact:

Samantha Fenton

Communications Director, Good Things Australia

Tel: 0412 461 577

E: samantha.fenton@goodthingsfoundation.org