Text reading 'Indigenous Australian Datathon' in large, bold font.

31 oct - 2 nov 2025

The text "Gimuy (Cairns)" in a light color on a dark background.

Last year’s event saw:

180 participants

Three men smiling and leaning on a glass railing, wearing dark t-shirts, in a modern interior with perforated metal ceiling.

Text reading: 'Throughout the datathon, participants will work within groups to create and pitch a solution, using one of the data-sets provided, along the way meet industry mentors, community members, fellow participants and some all-round amazing people.'

28 indigenous communities and businesses

"our purpose" in light yellow text on a dark background

Text about an event focusing on sharing and educating participants on traditional and digital technologies, with an emphasis on First Nations participants and collaboration with technical experts.

Crowd of people at an event near banners for Griffith Business School, Advance Queensland, and KJR.

Text promoting the Indigenous Australian Datathon, highlighting AI literacy development in Indigenous communities, collaboration with experts, and long-lasting impacts.

Watch the successful 2024 edition

Text about an event that educates and trains participants in data handling, tool development, and collaboration with technologists and students.

Text reading 'Join us to build technology-driven solutions for indigenous community challenges in Australia!' in yellow font.

Testimonials from prior participants

“Understanding how relevant data privacy is for indigenous communities and how the proposed solutions must consider this feature for an implementation”

JP
“I found this a beginner friendly 'data' experience that allows you to see the application of technology in a refreshingly down to earth, plain English way; and done in a context that tangibly helps remote communities.  Along the way it will open your eyes to new opportunities that can start you on journey to some new skills.” 

AM
"This is a very important event for both the indigenous community as well as the technology community. Because we able to learn from each other. We are able to understand really what disposable resources that we can culminate and grow a far better solution or far better outcome."

DS - Tech Expert
“My biggest highlight was everyone’s keenness to assist in anyway. Whether it was helping virtually, helping other teams or just sitting down and talking the problems out with those involved. It was a very rewarding experience.”

DP
“The model we contributed to is aimed at enabling land owners to self-manage erosion when it as a point where minor interventions such as excluding cattle and controlling water run off (hay bails and stakes) can prevent the need for new roads, earth moving equipment and engineering works.”

AW
"We've actually created an AI model that can automatically count coral for us. It reduces our time dramatically."

RR - Traditional Owner
"It inspires me every time I come here for so many reasons. There's so many people that are stepping outside their comfort zone just to attend this event, and it's really good to see them being open to learning. It's really rewarding and satisfying"

RB - Organising Committee
"If people are passionate about their community, I would recommend to come here because this is the opportunity for them to learn new techniques, come up with ideas."

BF - Traditional Owner
"I feel like I'm helping to contribute with some tech skills, but I'm learning lots about culture and the land. I really enjoy that collaboration and knowledge sharing that we get."

KR - Tech Expert
"The datathon will expand not just to apply to Northern Australia, but to all of Australia and to all the world. I think we can set an example and we are setting an example that the world can follow and Queensland and Australia can lead the way on this."

AR - Organising Committee & Participant

Located at Ideas Lab, James Cook University, Nguma-bada Campus, Cairns

1/14-88 McGregor Rd, Smithfield, QLD, 4878

31 oct - 2 nov 2025

Last year’s event saw:

180 participants

28 indigenous communities and businesses

Watch the successful 2024 edition

“Understanding how relevant data privacy is for indigenous communities and how the proposed solutions must consider this feature for an implementation”

"This is a very important event for both the indigenous community as well as the technology community. Because we able to learn from each other. We are able to understand really what disposable resources that we can culminate and grow a far better solution or far better outcome."

“My biggest highlight was everyone’s keenness to assist in anyway. Whether it was helping virtually, helping other teams or just sitting down and talking the problems out with those involved. It was a very rewarding experience.”

“The model we contributed to is aimed at enabling land owners to self-manage erosion when it as a point where minor interventions such as excluding cattle and controlling water run off (hay bails and stakes) can prevent the need for new roads, earth moving equipment and engineering works.”

"We've actually created an AI model that can automatically count coral for us. It reduces our time dramatically."

"It inspires me every time I come here for so many reasons. There's so many people that are stepping outside their comfort zone just to attend this event, and it's really good to see them being open to learning. It's really rewarding and satisfying"

"If people are passionate about their community, I would recommend to come here because this is the opportunity for them to learn new techniques, come up with ideas."

"I feel like I'm helping to contribute with some tech skills, but I'm learning lots about culture and the land. I really enjoy that collaboration and knowledge sharing that we get."

"The datathon will expand not just to apply to Northern Australia, but to all of Australia and to all the world. I think we can set an example and we are setting an example that the world can follow and Queensland and Australia can lead the way on this."

Located at Ideas Lab, James Cook University, Nguma-bada Campus, Cairns

INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIAN DATATHON 2025

“Understanding how relevant data privacy is for indigenous communities and how the proposed solutions must consider this feature for an implementation”

“The model we contributed to is aimed at enabling land owners to self-manage erosion when it as a point where minor interventions such as excluding cattle and controlling water run off (hay bails and stakes) can prevent the need for new roads, earth moving equipment and engineering works.”