Uncategorized – Chris Cormack

Cloud in Healthcare: How Australia is Using AI to Transform Digital Health

What if your next medical breakthrough isn’t a new drug or device—
but the cloud infrastructure running quietly behind the scenes?

Australia’s healthcare system is undergoing a quiet revolution. And at the heart of it isn’t just AI, or machine learning, or cutting-edge telehealth tools—it’s the rapid evolution and reach of cloud computing.

From telemedicine in remote towns to real-time hospital analytics in the CBD, cloud infrastructure is no longer an IT decision. It’s a care decision. And it’s accelerating faster than most organisations are ready for.

The Rise of Cloud in Australian Healthcare

Cloud computing in Australian healthcare has gone from experiment to essential.

In 2022–23, 20% of all GP services were delivered via telehealth—phone and video are now a standard part of care delivery, particularly in rural and aged care settings.

Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are evolving from static repositories to dynamic, AI-ready platforms.

Predictive analytics is helping hospitals forecast admissions, manage resources, and reduce waiting lists.

But with every new capability comes a challenge: integration, security, governance, and compliance.

Cloud has shifted from a back-end technology to a strategic engine for growth and innovation. It’s becoming the backbone of modern health delivery—and the risk and compliance surface has expanded accordingly.

AI in Action: Smarter, Faster, Fairer Care

Australia is at the forefront of AI and ML innovations in healthcare.

AI triage bots are helping assess symptoms and direct patients to appropriate care pathways.

Machine learning models are predicting patient deterioration in emergency rooms.

Natural language processing is accelerating clinical documentation, giving practitioners more time with patients.

Computer vision is assisting radiologists in detecting anomalies more quickly and accurately.

These use cases are not hypothetical. They are operational today—and they rely on scalable, secure cloud environments.

However, these technologies are only as strong as the infrastructure they run on. And in healthcare, that infrastructure must meet an exceptionally high bar.

The Privacy and Compliance Tightrope

Healthcare cloud adoption in Australia must navigate a complex environment of privacy laws, ethical obligations, and system-wide compliance expectations.

Technology teams supporting healthcare are not simply managing digital records—they are stewards of public trust.

The Privacy Act 1988 and the My Health Records Act 2012 impose clear responsibilities around data sovereignty, consent, and transparency.

The Australian Digital Health Agency maintains national standards for interoperability, access controls, and cybersecurity.

Accreditation frameworks such as ISO/IEC 27001 and IRAP (Information Security Registered Assessors Program) are becoming mandatory in procurement processes.

Choosing the wrong cloud partner is not just a technical oversight. It becomes a compliance issue, a reputational risk, and an ethical liability.

Choosing the Right Cloud Partner for Healthcare in Australia

For healthcare leaders, selecting a cloud partner in healthcare is no longer a purely operational decision—it is a strategic one.

At a minimum, ensure your cloud solution offers:

Data residency within Australia

IRAP-assessed infrastructure

Proven interoperability with national digital health systems

Capacity to support AI and machine learning workloads

Transparent security protocols, SLAs, and audit trails

Above all, choose a partner who understands that in this sector, the goal is not disruption. The goal is safe, sustainable, patient-focused innovation.

Final Thought

If you’re leading technology in a healthcare organisation, the question is no longer whether cloud and AI should be adopted.

The real question is: are we building the kind of infrastructure that can support the next decade of health innovation?

Because in the end, this is not just about platforms and data. It is about empowering clinicians. It is about faster, more informed decisions. And ultimately, it is about improving lives—quietly, securely, and intelligently in the background.

Let’s build that future—thoughtfully, together.

Resources

1. MBS Telehealth Post-Implementation Review Final Report
https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-06/mbs-review-advisory-committee-telehealth-post-implementation-review-final-report.pdf

2. Patient Experiences in Australia
https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-services/patient-experiences/latest-release

3. Australia Telehealth Market Report 2025–2034
https://www.expertmarketresearch.com.au/reports/australia-telehealth-market

4. Privacy Act 1988
https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-legislation/privacy-act-1988

5. My Health Records Act 2012
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2012A00184

6. IRAP – Information Security Registered Assessors Program
https://www.cyber.gov.au/acsc/view-all-content/programs/irap

7. ISO/IEC 27001 – Information Security Management
https://www.iso.org/isoiec-27001-information-security.html

8. FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources)
https://www.hl7.org/fhir/

9. Real-Time AI for Patient Deterioration Prediction

Source: National Library of Medicine (PubMed)

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37150397/

10. AI Chatbots in Australian Healthcare

Source: University of Melbourne, Pursuit
https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/the-promise-and-peril-of-ai-chatbots-in-healthcare

11. Computer Vision in Radiology (SA Medical Imaging)

Source: Adelaide Now (News Corp Australia)
https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/artificial-intelligence-advising-on-xray-diagnoses-in-sa-medical-imaging/news-story/ae20cc4c30320354069d586ca1d23846

Hybrid and Multi-Cloud Strategies in Australia

Hybrid and multi-cloud strategies are becoming table stakes for forward-looking organisations in Australia — and for good reason. Across industries, cloud strategies have been put in place to support business objectives. As cloud adoption deepens, leaders are looking for smarter, more resilient IT.

Cloud platforms offer scale, global reach, smarter cost control, and resilience when things go wrong.

Relying on just one cloud provider can affect your cyber resilience and service availability.

Digital change is moving fast, compliance demands are getting tougher, and market conditions are shifting constantly. Leaders need IT that bends, not breaks.

Hybrid and multi-cloud aren’t simply tech buzzwords. They’re the way Australian organisations stay in control, meet compliance, and build resilience.

What is Hybrid Cloud? What is Multi-Cloud?

Hybrid cloud

Hybrid cloud blends private IT infrastructure with public cloud services. Sensitive or regulated data stays under your control in a private environment, while public cloud gives you the flexibility to scale when demand spikes.

Think of it as keeping your most valuable assets in a safe at home, while renting extra storage space when you need room for the less sensitive stuff. It’s about balancing control with flexibility, using the right environment for the right job.

Multi-cloud

Multi-cloud takes it a step further. Instead of committing everything to one provider, businesses spread workloads across platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud. This avoids lock-in, reduces risk, and gives organisations the freedom to use the best tool for each task.

It’s a bit like diversifying your investments. You wouldn’t put your entire portfolio into one stock. Multi-cloud works the same way — spreading risk, increasing resilience, and giving you more leverage when the market shifts.

Why Australian Businesses Are Going Hybrid and Multi-Cloud

Choosing the Best Services

No single provider does everything perfectly. Amazon Web Services are well-known for innovative solutions and cutting edge services. Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Power Platform and Azure provides an established ecosystem of building blocks that interoperate almost seamlessly.

Cloud management tools have been improving. Now there are solid, dependable tools for managing your hybrid cloud / multi-cloud platforms. Azure Arc is gaining a lot of traction.

Compliance and sovereignty.

Many organisations keep sensitive data secure in their own infrastructure while using a public cloud for extra capacity.

This is carefully considered in Australia with many high-profile data privacy breaches reported lately. Regulations demand that patient records, financial data, and other sensitive information remain onshore under strict control — a clear case of data sovereignty shaping how organisations use the cloud.

Hybrid cloud makes compliance more straightforward than relying on public cloud infrastructure: keep the sensitive data local, let other workloads benefit from global scalability. Compliance, tick. Agility maintained.

Resilience and Return on Investment.

By blending in-house systems with cloud platforms, organisations create stronger safety nets.

The payoff is real. Industry reports, including the 2023 Intel analysis, show that enterprises applying disciplined FinOps practices — cost visibility, optimisation, and governance — have improved cloud ROI by as much as 30% in a single year. These results highlight the tangible business benefits of hybrid and multi-cloud strategies when paired with strong financial operations.

But pause for a moment — what would just one hour of downtime cost your business in sales, trust, and reputation?

Reducing Risk with Hybrid and Multi-Cloud

Escaping vendor lock-in.

One of the biggest risks of going all-in with one provider is getting stuck. If costs rise or service dips, you’ve got little choice.

Multi-cloud changes that. By spreading workloads, businesses gain leverage, independence, and flexibility. Ask yourself: what’s your plan if your only provider suddenly changes the rules?

Stronger disaster recovery.

Resilience isn’t a buzzword. It’s survival. Hybrid cloud setups let critical systems mirror each other between private and public environments — if one fails, the other steps in.

Multi-cloud goes further, shifting workloads across providers and regions. For banks, healthcare, and retail — where every minute counts — this isn’t optional. It’s a business imperative.

Practical Advice for Building a Hybrid Strategy

Moving to hybrid or multi-cloud isn’t just about adding a second provider. It’s about designing smarter. Start here:

Map workloads. Keep regulated data close to home. Run seasonal or high-volume apps in the public cloud.
Stay cloud-agnostic. Use tools like Kubernetes or Terraform to stay portable.
Build in security. Encrypt data, apply Zero Trust, check compliance often.
Simplify operations. Unified dashboards and automation prevent complexity from spiralling.
Track costs. Apply FinOps to right-size resources and monitor usage continuously.
Invest in people. Upskill IT teams or bring in experienced partners. The best plan fails without the right people behind it.

Think of it like building a winning sports team. Technology is the stadium, but it’s people who win the game.

Why Now Is the Time?

Hybrid and multi-cloud aren’t passing fads. They’re the new building blocks for businesses that want to stay competitive, compliant, and resilient. This shift reflects a wider digital transformation across Australia, where cloud-first has become the norm.

The bottom line: organisations that adopt hybrid strategies today will be better prepared for tomorrow — whether that’s scaling fast, meeting new compliance rules, or surviving an unexpected outage.

So here’s the question: will your IT bend when the pressure comes, or will it break? For organisations exploring hybrid cloud Australia and multi-cloud Australia solutions, the time to act is now.

Hybrid and multi-cloud are your multi-pronged digital foundation — flexible, reliable, and ready for whatever comes next.

What’s Next for Your Cloud Strategy?

If your business is still tied to a single provider, now is the time to rethink. Start small, map your workloads, and explore what hybrid and multi-cloud could unlock for you.The question isn’t if you’ll need it. The question is how soon you can get it right.

Resources

The Impact of AI on Business Success

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has officially transitioned from the realm of science fiction into the everyday operations of enterprises around the globe. With a remarkable 72% of organizations reporting AI adoption across various functions, it’s clear that AI is not just a passing trend—it’s becoming an essential part of the business landscape.

A Surge in Adoption

Since the introduction of generative AI technologies, organizations have rapidly embraced these tools. A recent McKinsey survey indicates that 65% of companies are now using generative AI regularly. This shift highlights a growing recognition that AI can enhance productivity and drive significant business value—think of it as adding a turbocharger to your existing engine.

Why Should Directors Pay Attention?

For directors and senior management, investing in AI isn’t merely about keeping pace with competitors; it’s about gaining a strategic advantage. Companies leveraging AI are experiencing measurable benefits, including cost reductions and revenue increases in the areas where these technologies are deployed. Imagine being able to predict market trends faster than your competitors can say “data-driven decisions!”

Investment Opportunities for 2024

As we look ahead, here are some key areas where investments can yield substantial returns:

Generative AI Tools: These tools can automate content creation and customer interactions. Investing in these technologies allows your marketing team to focus on strategy while AI manages routine tasks, leading to greater efficiency.
Predictive Analytics: By utilizing AI to analyze data patterns, companies can anticipate customer needs and market trends. It’s like having an insightful advisor who can help you navigate complex decisions.
AI-Enhanced Customer Service: Chatbots and virtual assistants are now vital for improving customer satisfaction across industries. They provide timely responses, ensuring customers feel valued without overwhelming your human staff.
Smart Automation: From supply chain management to HR processes, automating repetitive tasks frees up human talent for more strategic roles. This shift not only enhances productivity but also boosts employee morale by allowing them to engage in more meaningful work.

AI is not Perfect!

While integrating AI may seem daunting, it often comes with its own light-hearted moments. For instance, employees might find themselves amused when their AI assistant occasionally misunderstands a request—turning “schedule a meeting” into “create a new playlist.” These quirks remind us that while technology is powerful, it still has room for growth. Additionally, concerns about job displacement due to AI are often balanced by the fact that many studies predict the creation of approximately 97 million new jobs by 2025. Rather than fearing robots taking over, we need to encourage a view of them as partners in enhancing workplace efficiency.

Embrace the Future

Closing out, the current state of artificial intelligence presents a significant opportunity for enterprises willing to embrace this technology. By investing in AI-driven solutions, directors and senior management can enhance productivity and push their competitive edge. Let’s look forward to a future where humans and machines collaborate effectively—working together toward success with a partnership focused on innovation and productivity.

Imagine Who’s Listening

Humour me and imagine, if you will, some years in the not too distant future: you are part of a group putting your attention to understanding something. Somewhat like you might be doing now.

Boy on tin can phone listening to curious good news

Not everyone in your group is human.

We are not talking about alien life here. We’re not talking about animals either. No. Imagine for instance this particular fellow group member is an “intelligent agent”.

There are various definitions of an intelligent agent. For this case, let’s say that an intelligent agent is a device that perceives its environment and takes actions to maximise its chance of success.

An intelligent agent is a type of thing we more generally call artifical intelligence, or AI.

AI has arrived. What is AI?

AI and intelligent agents are changing the way we live and work.

Let’s think about this concept of intelligence. What is intelligence? Well, the Oxford dictionary defines it as “the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills”. Other definitions include: self-awareness, emotional knowledge, and capacity for logic. For our purpose of discussion, I’m going to define intelligence here as “the ability to achieve complex goals“. This definition broadly covers all of those ideas. There are many goals and the ability to achieve them provides a basis for intelligence.

Intelligence comes on a scale. The degree of ability to achieve a goal helps us understand where on the spectrum of intelligence something is. A complex goal might be: speaking. Let’s consider. Can a baby speak? No. Can an adult speak? Yes, generally. What about a child? All are somehwere different on the spectrum of intelligence.

Intelligence is narrow or broad. IBM’s Deep Blue chess computer beat the chess grandmaster Gary Kasparov in 1997. It could beat a chess grandmaster at chess but in noughts and crosses (a.k.a. tic-tac-toe), it couldn’t beat a 4-year old. It was built with a narrow focus of ability.

The more recent Google Deep Mind DQN AI system can play dozens of vintage Atari games at human level or better. This system is built to be able to apply itself to new goals. We might consier it has a broader capacity for intelligence.

Humans however, we as a species are so far unique in all the world with reagrd to intelligence. We are able to master a huge amount of skills. We can learn languages, sports, vocations and so much more. There’s nothing on the planet to rival us at this point in time.

General AI is coming

We are seeing accelerated breakthroughs and uses of AI in broader areas of our lives. Research and development in artificial intelligence has an endgame focus of general AI at a human level. Narrow AI will eventually evolve to become general AI. Whilst we do not know when this will happen (and some do question whether it will ever happen), there is no doubt of the advances and applications of AI.

Deep Mind has been able to learn many different games by using a positive reinforcement deep learning technique called reinforcement learning. This is a general unsupervised learning technique that computers use to teach themselves how to achieve narrow goals.

Using this technique, Google Deep Mind has been able to master and outplay human testers on 29 different vintage Atari games. Never sleeping, never resting and with no need to eat, computers can spend almost endless time learning how to achieve their goals in virtual reality, and then apply that knowledge when ready.

AlphaGo demonstrated strategic creatvity when it beat Lee Sedol, considered the top player of Go in the world in 2016. It was expected to take another decade before AI beat a human Go champion. AlphaGo went on to beat all 20 top players the year after it beat Lee Sedol.

To put this feat in context… there are many more possible Go positions than there are atoms in the entire universe. Therefore players rely heavily on intuition alongside conscious analysis. AlphaGo shocked the world by defying ancient wisdom by playing on the 5th line early in its 2nd game against Lee Sedol, and it went on to win the game. This was a demonstration of intuitive / creative play from a machine-based atrtifical intelligence.

AI is being widely used throughout our lives today

Natural language translation was not really considered possible when I studied AI back in the 1990s. As a student of computer science at university I recall discussing computation ability and we considered it as unable to cope with the ambiguities of natural langauge back then. Now we see natural language translation all around us. We are now seeing translation happen in real-time as well. What other examples do we see of AI all around us?

AI is being used in finance. Most stock market buy-sell decisions are now made automatically by computers. Algorithmic trading is the AI behind this. Algorithmic trading is used to help profitable trading. It allows resources to be efficiently allocated across the world at the speed of light.

In healthcare we are seeing changes in multiple areas, like diagnosis and surgery:

In 2015 a Dutch study showed that computer diagnosis of prostrate cancer using MRI was as good as human radiologists
In 2016 a Stanford study showed AI could diagnose lung cancer using microscope images better than human pathologists could
Machine learning is now used in medical research institutes such as Walter Eliza Hall Institute, for instance in predictive modelling for best outcomes based on analysis of genes, diseases and treatment responses
2 million robotic surgeries have been performed in the US smoothly between 2000 and 2013 according to a recent report in 2017

We are in the midst of the 4th industrial revolution. AI is one of the catalysts in this step change for humaity.

AI is now a permanent part of our lives, changing the way we live and work

Let’s review what we’ve covered.

Artificial Intelliegence has arrived. What is AI? It is a narrow, limited ability to achieve a goal, at this point time (2021). The engame is a broader, more capable ability to achieve complex goals.

General AI is coming. Accelerated breakthroughs have shown advancements in intuitive, creative, strategic mastery of games. Virtual reality is now commonly used for reinforcement learning in training AIs.

AI is widely used today for the positive benefit of human society. In finance and healthcare we are seeing improvements that benefit humans.

Imagine who’s listening

Imagine some time in the not too distant future, you’re part of a group putting your attention to understanding something. Not everyone in your group is human…