QFI State Councillors' Briefing - 7th October 2026

Queensland, global capital and the AI opportunity

The rapid rise of AI is driving extraordinary demand for computing capacity, data centres and the capital required to support them - creating a new global investment cycle and significant opportunities for jurisdictions that can position themselves to compete.

QIC Private Equity Head of Asia Pacific Crystal Russell and Partner Nicholas Guest will explore this emerging landscape, drawing on QIC’s 20 years investing in the North American venture capital ecosystem and a decade investing locally through QIC Ventures.

They will unpack the investment signals emerging from the US, how global capital responds to major technology shifts, and the lessons Queensland can draw from its own experience connecting local opportunities with international institutional capital.

The discussion will consider what the growth of AI and its supporting infrastructure could mean for Queensland, and how the state can position its strengths to participate in the next wave of technology-driven investment.