Bendigo AI Leaders Partner With Universities to Scale Tech Adoption Regionally

Bendigo AI Thinkspace runs as a free monthly meet-up on the third Thursday of each month, drawing participants to explore how artificial intelligence can reshape work and community life in Central Victoria. Co-hosted by Monash University, La Trobe University and the Bendigo-founded company Ligantic, the sessions focus on immediate applications rather than abstract theory.

Regional forum builds lasting connections

Regional Development Australia Melbourne staged its major AI Forum in Bendigo during November 2024 at La Trobe University. The event formed part of a broader effort that reached more than 540 stakeholders across the region by 2025. Ligantic, listed as a Gold Partner for AI and technology, helped organise the program to show Central Victorian businesses how to compete digitally through targeted AI tools.

These gatherings stand out because they pair university resources with local implementation support instead of relying on distant consultants or generic online courses. Participants leave with direct contacts at Monash and La Trobe plus access to Ligantic's automation services tailored for regional operations.

Measurable returns appear quickly for local firms

Businesses using local AI automation services report saving more than 25 hours per week on manual tasks, with return on investment typically reached inside 30 days, according to guidance published by Bendigo Bank. In the e-commerce sector, subscription-box operators have recorded 78 percent faster order processing and 94 percent fewer errors after adopting the same tools.

The combination of documented time savings, rapid payback periods and university-backed discussion forums creates a repeatable model that other cities watch. Companies in Bendigo can test ideas at the monthly Thinkspace sessions before committing resources, then measure results against the concrete benchmarks already achieved by peers.

Local operators who want to test these approaches can register for the next third-Thursday session through the co-hosting organisations or review case material from the 2024 forum hosted at La Trobe University.