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Unveiled at a Melbourne industry forum with the National AI Centre, the AI Information Line gives Australian SMEs a fast, responsible first conversation about AI, anytime, from anywhere.

The Small to Medium Enterprise Centre of AI (SMEC AI), a Federal Government AI adoption centre, has launched the AI Information Line, a free national phone service that gives Australian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) responsible, practical assistance on adopting artificial intelligence in a single phone call.

The service was unveiled in Melbourne at an event co-hosted with the National AI Centre (NAIC), where NAIC Executive Director Lee Hickin joined a fireside conversation on Australia’s National AI Strategy and the future of AI adoption.

Available now on 1800 517 403 and athttps://smecai.au, the AI Information Line is built and operated in Australia by SMEC AI under the Australian Government’s AI Adopt program.

Closing the AI adoption gap for small business

For most small businesses, the hardest part of AI is knowing where to begin. Deloitte Access Economics research from November 2025 found that while around two-thirds of Australian small and medium businesses now use AI in some form, only about five per cent of those using it are doing so to anywhere near its full potential, and more than half of SME workforces have only a basic or novice familiarity with the technology. For many, simply not knowing where to start remains one of the biggest barriers, with around a third of non-adopting SMBs saying they don’t know where to begin.

The AI Information Line is designed to close that gap in the time it takes to make a phone call. A caller describes their problem in plain language, an AI voice agent that clearly identifies itself as AI answers within seconds, works through a structured intake, and points the caller to general AI options worth considering. After the call, the caller receives a written AI Information Summary by text, a plain-English recap of what was discussed and some suggested next steps to consider. The summary is general information rather than professional advice, and callers can ask to book a time with a member of the SMEC AI team at any point.

Andrew Lai, Managing Director, SMEC AI, said, “Most small businesses don’t stall on AI because they aren’t interested. They stall because they don’t know where to start, and they can’t afford to get it wrong. The AI Information Line removes that first barrier. We built this under the AI Adopt program so that trustworthy AI assistance isn’t a privilege of big companies with big budgets. It’s a free, national front door to AI for every small business in the country.”

Andrew Lai, Managing Director, SMEC AI

Built to a responsible-AI standard

The AI Information Line was designed to a responsible-AI standard, with safeguards built in and testing before launch. It clearly identifies itself as an AI assistant at the start of every call, callers can choose to book a time with a member of the SMEC AI team at any time, and the service is Australian-built and operated under the AI Adopt mandate.

SMEC AI says the initiative is intended as a live, publicly accessible example of responsible AI deployed at national scale, and a measurable way to lift SME AI capability across the country. Deloitte Access Economics modelling from November 2025, commissioned by Amazon, estimated that around $44 billion could be added to Australia's economy each year if just one in ten lower-maturity Australian small and medium businesses advanced one rung on the AI maturity ladder.

Lee Hickin, Executive Director, National AI Centre, added, “Australia’s opportunity in AI will be shaped by how confidently our small and medium businesses can adopt it, safely, and purposefully. That means meeting them where they are, with practical and responsible support.

“Initiatives that are built to a high standard of safety and accountability help give the SME sector a clearer, more confident path to adopt AI, and that is good for the whole economy.”

Lee Hickin, Executive Director, National AI Centre

How to use the AI Information Line

Australian small and medium businesses can call 1800 517 403 or visit smecai.au. The service is free and available now.

Notes to editors

About the AI Information Line. The AI Information Line (previously referred to as the SME AI Hotline) is a free, responsible-AI phone service for Australian SMEs, reachable on 1800 517 403 and at smecai.au. An AI voice agent clearly identifies itself as AI, answers within seconds, conducts a structured intake, and points callers to general AI options worth considering. A written AI Information Summary is texted after the call, every summary is logged and auditable, and callers can ask to speak with a member of the SMEC AI team at any time. The service provides general information to help SMEs get started with AI, not professional, legal, financial or tax advice. It is built and operated in Australia by SMEC AI under the Australian Government’s AI Adopt program.

Important. The AI Information Line provides general information to help small and medium businesses get started with AI. It does not provide professional, legal, financial, tax or clinical advice, and any tools or categories mentioned are examples to consider, not endorsements or recommendations. SMEC AI receives no commissions from any provider.

About SMEC AI. SMEC AI (the Small to Medium Enterprise Centre of AI) is an AI Adoption Centre delivered under the Australian Government’s AI Adopt program. It helps Australian SMEs adopt AI safely, practically and affordably.

About the National AI Centre. The National AI Centre (NAIC) supports Australian organisations to adopt AI safely and responsibly. Lee Hickin is its Executive Director.

Data sources. AI adoption, maturity and workforce-familiarity figures, and the $44 billion GDP estimate: Deloitte Access Economics, ‘The AI edge for small business’ (November 2025), commissioned by Amazon. Additional adoption context: National AI Centre (2025 to 2026).

Interviews and demonstration. Andrew Lai is available for interview. A live demonstration of the AI Information Line can be arranged on request.