Record number of finalists revealed for Australian AI Awards

Powered by Momentum Media, the third annual Australian AI Awards is poised to have its biggest year so far, with a record 305 innovators qualifying as finalists.

These include two firms in the AI Innovator – Aerospace Sector category, 10 in the AI Innovator – Defence and National Security, and one aerospace professional who has been named a finalist in the AI Software Engineer of the Year category.

Finalists include representatives from Leidos Australia, DroneShield, and many more.

The highest-scoring individual winner will take home the coveted Excellence Award trophy at this year’s black-tie ceremony.

Click here to view the full list of finalists.

The awards come as AI adoption has surged in recent years, particularly with the growing availability of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT. 

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Australian Bureau of Statistics research found that almost half of businesses reported embracing new technologies such as AI to boost efficiency.

In 2024–25, AI adoption was highest among businesses in information, media and telecommunications (38 per cent), followed by professional, scientific and technical services and financial and insurance services (both 24 per cent).

In this environment, where businesses are pioneering innovative uses of AI, the Australian AI Awards recognises professionals, organisations, and solutions that have transformed the Australian economy across the aerospace profession, as well as accounting, banking, law, defence, mortgage broking, and cyber.

The awards celebrate individuals and businesses that developed and used innovative AI solutions to grow their businesses and provide national recognition to professionals and organisations. An Australian AI Award signals to organisations, investors, boards, and clients that your work meets the highest national standard.

Winning an award could strengthen the profile of professionals and organisations, boost credibility and trust with clients, colleagues, and the wider profession, create opportunities for career progression, and help them distinguish themselves from others and gain a competitive edge in the accounting profession and industry.

How winners are chosen

The Australian AI Awards, in conjunction with event stakeholders Momentum Media and a panel of leading AI professionals, involves a robust awards methodology to assess and benchmark Australian professionals and businesses pioneering the use of AI.

Momentum Media applies an independent, rigorous, and transparent judging process, ensuring that every winner earns their place on merit.

At least three judges with relevant expertise review each submission independently. Judges score against the published criteria for each category. The panel draws from industry, academia, and government, and no sitting judge may assess a category in which they have a conflict of interest.

The full judging panel convenes to review scores, discuss leading submissions, and reach consensus on winners and finalists in each category. Where scores are tied, the panel chair facilitates discussion to reach a determination.

The winners will be announced on Friday, 30 October 2026 at a glittering black-tie gala ceremony at the Hyatt Regency in Sydney.

Click here to buy your tickets now for the awards ceremony and don’t miss out!

For more information about the awards program, click here.

To view the full list of finalists, click here.