Australia marks IT professionals' vital role in AI era

The critical, yet often overlooked, contribution of IT professionals is coming to the fore as Australia marks National IT Professionals Day. From banking transactions to government service delivery, much of everyday life relies on the expertise and dedication of the nation's technology workers. Industry leaders say this workforce is not only underpinning current digital infrastructure but also shaping the future of artificial intelligence and technological transformation across sectors.

Michael Vincetic, Practise Leader for Cloud & Core Enterprise at Kyndryl Australia and New Zealand, highlighted the essential role of mainframe specialists, describing them as "the unsung heroes" whose work ensures the reliability of services Australians use daily. Vincetic cited findings from Kyndryl's State of Mainframe Modernisation study, revealing that mainframe usage is on the rise, with 56% of surveyed organisations reporting increased reliance in the past year. "AI is providing the ability to accelerate the modernisation of these critical systems. Yet 70% of organisations struggle to find the multi-skilled talent needed to do this," he said.

This gap in skills has real implications. The same study found that 86% of Australian IT and cyber specialists have reported experiencing burnout, underscoring the pressures they face amid growing workloads and the digital skills shortage. Vincetic stressed that supporting the wellbeing of these professionals is not just an HR obligation, but a business necessity. "At Kyndryl, we see this work for what it is: essential, vital, and foundational to the systems our society relies on," he said.

The changing landscape of IT is a key focus for Laxmi Narayana Piska, APME Consulting & Tech Advisory Leader, HCLTech. Reflecting on more than two decades in the field, Piska emphasised how far technology has come - from hardware-driven systems to today's AI-powered, cloud-based platforms. "The biggest leap of all has been the rise of AI. Where once we built systems that stored and processed information, we are now developing intelligent platforms that learn, adapt, and enhance decision-making in real time," he explained.

Piska described leading a landmark project: the first large-scale AI virtual agent deployment for a major US telecom, covering 52 use cases. Closer to home, he has been involved in digital modernisation projects for Australian banks, retailers, and government agencies, aiming to simplify systems and boost resilience. He sees AI as a transformative opportunity for Australia, with potential applications in healthcare, education, and sustainability. "For healthcare, that might mean earlier diagnoses and personalised treatment. For education, it could mean adaptive learning tailored to each student," Piska said. "The potential is transformative."

However, Piska also acknowledged ongoing national challenges. "While surveys show that most organisations believe in AI's potential, only a small fraction consider themselves 'AI mature'. Too many projects remain in pilot stages," he noted. Key obstacles include a shortage of AI and digital skills, as well as concerns around data quality, privacy, and ethical governance. Piska urged collaboration between industry, government, and academia to drive responsible, effective adoption of AI. "For IT professionals, the role has never been more critical. We're not just maintaining systems. We're enabling businesses to adapt, innovate, and thrive."

Adactin CEO Navneesh Garg echoed these sentiments, pointing to the surge in interest among Australian businesses in using AI to streamline processes and boost productivity, particularly since the emergence of technologies like ChatGPT. "IT professionals are now working more closely than ever with business decision makers jointly evaluating how much should be invested in tools based on the rapidly evolving technology," Garg said. He stressed that harnessing AI effectively could directly uplift revenues and enhance existing processes.

However, Garg cautioned against rushing into deployment. "Because AI is evolving so quickly, it isn't clear exactly what its future capabilities will be. For this reason, IT professionals should promote careful experimentation with AI," he advised. He also urged businesses to remain flexible, to foster environments where IT teams have the right mindset and resources to thrive. When these factors are in place, "organisations can put themselves in a position of advantage to minimise points of friction and take advantage of the benefits that engaged IT professionals can bring to the workplace."

National IT Professionals Day serves as both a recognition and a call to action: to support the wellbeing of technology workers, to value their key role in driving and securing Australia's digital future, and to ensure the nation remains at the forefront of responsible, innovative technology adoption.