What if your country had its own AI, designed specifically for its people, culture, and laws?
That is exactly what David Keane, CEO and founder of Southern Cross AI (SCX.AI), is building in Australia. I spoke with David about how his team is creating AI infrastructure that prioritises trust, governance, and efficiency. Here’s a breakdown of our conversation.
What is Sovereign AI?
Sovereign AI is AI that is built, hosted, and maintained within a country, giving businesses, governments, and individuals confidence over where their data is processed and how it is used. Instead of relying solely on AI from the US or China, Australia can now have a model that is fine-tuned for local culture and legal frameworks.
Introducing Project Magpie
One of SCX.AI’s most exciting initiatives is Project Magpie, Australia’s first large language model tailored for the country.
Key features include:
- Cultural understanding: Recognises Australian communication styles and local practices.
- Legal and regulatory alignment: Ensures answers comply with Australian laws and guidelines.
- Open-source foundation: Built on open-source AI models for high performance while remaining local.
Project Magpie is more than just an AI chat tool. It provides solutions for businesses, government agencies, and individual users, all while keeping data local and secure.
Efficient and Sustainable AI Infrastructure
David explained that SCX.AI uses next-generation ASIC chips instead of traditional GPUs. This approach:
- Improves energy efficiency: Produces more intelligence per watt of power.
- Supports sustainability: Reduces impact on Australia’s net zero commitments and water resources.
- Enables scalability: Supports advanced AI applications like agentic workflows, multimodal models, and voice/video tools.
Real-World Applications
Sovereign AI is already being applied across multiple sectors:
- Universities: Supporting student learning and research.
- Financial services: Building productivity-enhancing applications.
- Healthcare: Managing sensitive patient data securely.
- Small businesses: Using AI-powered virtual receptionists to answer calls, schedule appointments, and provide information.
Looking Ahead: The Future of AI
David predicts that by 2026, AI adoption will accelerate in two main areas:
- Voice agents: Personal and business AI assistants will become commonplace.
- Video AI: Short-form video creation will become standard for businesses and individuals.
Despite these advancements, the foundation of trust, governance, and sovereignty will remain critical to ensure AI is reliable, safe, and aligned with local values.
Why It Matters
Sovereign AI is more than a technology. It represents a new way for countries, organisations, and individuals to interact with AI. By keeping AI local, Australia can ensure that the technology is culturally aware, legally compliant, and environmentally responsible.
About the Podcast Host
Joanne Sweeney is a specialist in public-sector marketing and digital communications. She’s the author of Public Sector Marketing Pro and the creator of the Professional Diploma in AI for Public Sector Marketing. With years of experience in training, consulting, and advocating for digital transformation, Joanne provides insight and guidance for government agencies navigating the digital landscape. She is also the host of the award-winning Public Sector Marketing Show podcast.
