Australian Politics The social responsibility of tech with new shadow minister Aaron Violi
Mar 13, 2026
Aaron Violi, Liberal MP and new shadow minister for the digital economy, science, innovation and cyber security, draws on his digital economy background. He talks about balancing AI productivity with disruption and reskilling. He outlines business pressures, data centre and medtech opportunities, and why startups head offshore. He also discusses migration, party rebuilding and his approach to policy.
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Turning Research Into Scalable Digital Products
- Aaron Violi frames science, tech and innovation as interconnected steps from university research to scalable digital products.
- He stresses commercialisation and cost-effective scaling as essential to turn prototypes into globally competitive companies.
AI Offers Big Gains But Requires Social Planning
- Violi separates AI's promise and risks: huge productivity gains versus job disruption and social consequences.
- He warns the government has been unprepared and urges planning for workforce reskilling and societal choices about data and copyright.
Coder Brother Saw Fourfold Output Boost
- Violi recounts his brother, a coder, who increased output four to five times using AI tools.
- He uses this frontline example to illustrate rapid productivity changes already happening in workplaces.