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May 2026

CSIRO is undertaking a series of strategic science shifts, focusing efforts where we can deliver the greatest national impact. As part of this, a review identified an opportunity to strengthen the impact of Data61 and Manufacturing through closer alignment. This will see the formation of a combined unit, CSIRO Technology, with the Data61 branding gradually transitioning over time.

Meet our student - Christine Crispin

Next gen student research story

Making the invisible visible: How one PhD is reshaping what we know about home schooling in NSW

Drawing on more than 15 years in social impact consulting, PhD candidate Christine Crispin explores how data science and machine learning can deepen our understanding of school disengagement and home schooling in NSW.

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From our community

A collage of three photos of groups of students smiling at the camera

In February and March, over 100 students from the 2026 NGGP cohort gathered across three cities to tackle the question: how do we design AI that is truly human-centred and responsible?

The sessions sparked lively debate, fresh thinking, and innovative solutions to real-world problems. This June, PhD and MPhil students will come together in Melbourne to share early insights into their research landscape, mapping the problems, contexts and opportunities their work is set to address.

What's on

Tuesday 19 May 2026, 1-2pm AEST

AI for Climate: Physical climate risk, from regulation to resilience

You are invited to a live webinar exploring current approaches to assessing physical climate risk, which has become essential for meeting regulatory expectations and building long-term business resilience.

Register now
national research survey

Help us shape Australia’s frontier AI readiness and resilience.

Take part in CSIRO’s national survey to help shape how frontier AI is adopted, governed and managed across Australia’s critical infrastructure sectors.

Complete the survey

Innovations & Insights

Expert commentary: How quantum can make AI safer

A CSIRO expert explains how the emerging field of quantum ‘robustness’ can make AI safer, faster and more trustworthy for real-world applications.

New AI tools find smarter ways to measure pasture

A global competition has tested the ability of AI to estimate pasture biomass directly from images, supporting faster, more scalable grazing management.

AI adopters aren’t cutting jobs, they’re creating them

As AI becomes part of everyday work, CSIRO research shows the real divide isn’t between humans and machines, but between firms that adopt AI and those that don’t.

Robots take the heat for humans maintaining our biggest solar farms

CSIRO’s AI-powered robots are changing the game for Australia’s large-scale solar farms, helping energy assets perform at their best and accelerating the energy transition.

Australian scientists achieve energy storage and quantum battery breakthrough

Researchers develop the first quantum battery that could pave the way for long- distance charging of devices and super-fast charging of electric cars.

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Note to readers

If you have news, events or updates you'd like featured in an upcoming issue, email Data61-NextGenGrad@csiro.au, we'd love to hear from you!