Interview: Jason MacBride, Neat

How will new government policies affect the rollout of AI in organisations?

New government policies will significantly impact artificial intelligence (AI) rollout by emphasising more robust security, compliance and data governance. Organisations must meet requirements for transparency and accountability by specific deadlines.

For example, the National Framework for AI Assurance ensures that AI technologies are deployed safely and responsibly, enhancing trust and innovation. The Cyber Security Bill 2024 mandates reporting cyber threat incidents. For organisations, this means a greater focus on compliance, integrating tighter data governance and more advanced security measures. These policies will help Australian businesses leverage AI for innovation while maintaining ethical standards.

As government regulations tighten, AI-driven features in video collaboration solutions will be critical to ensure secure communication across teams, helping organisations comply with the regulatory reforms while also boosting productivity and enhanced collaboration.

What can government agencies and the tech industry do to increase diversity in the workplace?

Australian organisations are expanding diversity, equity and inclusion practices beyond gender equality to include more under-represented groups. The government also recently announced a new strategy to achieve cultural diversity in senior leadership ranks across the Australian Public Service (APS) to better reflect the community it serves.

As hybrid workspaces continue to evolve, leaders in the public sector will need to balance operational excellence with improvements in digital innovation to enhance workplace inclusivity. For example, height-adjustable portable boards delivers more meeting flexibility for all participants regardless of any mobility issues, with wheelchair users able to easily participate or even host virtual meetings. Similarly, advanced audio technology can improve dialogue clarity for those with hearing impairment, and auto dynamic framing technology can help workers relying on visual and auditory cues to follow conversations seamlessly.

What specific tech skills will be in high demand in 2025?

As we are already seeing, people with experience in AI and machine learning are invaluable, due to current skill shortages in the tech sector. Data analytics skills will be essential for analysing AI-generated data, as demand for real-time insights continues to grow.

Cybersecurity expertise will be in demand due to the high volume of cyber threats across Australia. Companies adopting AI will prioritise securing sensitive data, with 88% of Australia and New Zealand CIOs focusing on cybersecurity investments in 2025, according to Gartner. CISO skills will continue evolving to translate complex cyber risk practices into business benefits and ROI measures that the board can more easily understand. These will include adhering to new compliance requirements and identifying new ways to leverage AI for enhanced security.

AI will drive the development of intelligent video collaboration tools and enhance user experiences. From Neat’s perspective, user experience design skills will be critical for creating intuitive and engaging video collaboration interfaces.

How can public agencies be best prepared for the cybersecurity threats they will face in the near future?

Cybersecurity threats like deepfake scams are rising with AI adoption. I’m sure most are familiar with the notable incident in HK where a finance worker transferred AU$39 million to deepfake scammers earlier this year. Globally, deepfakes increased 10-fold across all industries in 2023. Closer to home, MasterCard research shows 20% of Australian businesses faced deepfake threats in the past year, with 12% falling victim.

It’s crucial to not only review and strengthen cybersecurity posture, but also to educate employees on recognising common social engineering tactics through real-life and virtual training scenarios. Implement user authentication protocols such as multi-factor authentication, facial recognition and AI-driven threat detection and response systems to fight AI-powered scams, while ensuring robust internal processes and business transparency.

Neat’s video collaboration solutions help public agencies maintain seamless and protected communication, ensuring they can operate efficiently while safeguarding against cyber threats. For example, our solutions incorporate end-to-end encryption for all video calls and meetings, preventing unauthorised access. With Neat technology trusted for White House communications, we can confidently say that our products are secure and private for all communications within our ecosystem.

What can public sector organisations and their suppliers do to manage the risks of increasing complexity?

Government agencies should look at ways to create more meaningful digital experiences that go beyond the technology, remove IT complexity and simplify the user experience. By prioritising intuitive and user-friendly video solutions, agencies can transform the way people collaborate both in and outside of the office.

As the demand for innovative video solutions grows, these solutions not only enhance productivity but also foster genuine connections and seamless communication, making meetings more impactful. This trend will transform how public sector organisations operate, allowing them to navigate complexity more efficiently, ensure smoother operations and achieve better outcomes.

For example, Hutt City Council in New Zealand uses our video devices to support hybrid work. Features like Neat Symmetry ensure all meeting participants are equally seen and heard, regardless of their location, improving communication and collaboration across its various facilities.

Jason MacBride, Neat’s Regional Director for Australia and New Zealand, leads the expansion of Neat in the region, ensuring that clients and partners maximise the benefits of their Zoom Rooms and Microsoft Teams Rooms. With over two decades of experience, he is a seasoned solutions specialist with expertise spanning multiple industries.