
Building Australia’s AI Powerhouse Amidst Market Turbulence – AFR Feb 9 2026
Firmus has secured $14 billion from Blackstone to build Australian AI factories, positioning for a mid-year IPO despite market volatility.

Firmus has secured $14 billion from Blackstone to build Australian AI factories, positioning for a mid-year IPO despite market volatility.

Councils’ digital strategies often fail vulnerable citizens. By adopting empathic design and optimising existing tech, executives can improve equity and efficiency.

Analysing 23 Australian organisation case studies, this independent report identifies key drivers for successful core migrations.

Interactive’s sovereign-first strategy bridges legacy systems and modern cloud, helping regulated Australian firms manage data residency and supplier risk effectively.

Anthropic’s Cowork and ‘vibe coding’ threaten legacy platforms. To survive, incumbents must pivot from managing human workflows to governing autonomous AI agents.

With its new ‘Unite28’ strategy, Interactive is targeting regulated industries that require local data residency, deep regulatory compliance (APRA, SOCI), and high-touch customer service.

December’s focus shifts toward pragmatic governance, balancing AI adoption and cyber resilience by simplifying processes and prioritising foundational security controls.

Adobe’s $1.9bn Semrush acquisition integrates SEO and GEO into the creative workflow, ensuring brands remain visible in AI-driven search results.

Adobe and Microsoft are integrating AI agents to streamline marketing workflows, signaling a shift toward cross-platform interoperability for enterprise productivity.