Vision and NT context
The NT Digital Futures Strategy brings together a vision for the NT.
Local businesses, NT communities, and the NT Government will utilise technology to unlock opportunities, increase their skills and connect.
Our vision for the future
Modern technology connects Territorians with local jobs and careers, with trusted and accessible services they need, and with each other.
NT context
The NT embraces innovation and tackles challenges head on. We are a relatively small population spread across a wide expanse. This is a perfect environment to prove how effective or challenging a technology product is at supporting people to connect.
Territorians understand that it takes fresh ideas and approaches and working together to solve problems. We have challenges of climate, distance and remoteness that are good testing grounds for technology and other products.
The Digital Futures Strategy is focused on these opportunities and encouraging the use of and exploration of technology to improve our lifestyle and connections.
Insights into the NT digital industry
- $538 million contributed by the ICT sector, as measured through value added, to the NT economy in FY24.
- 137 ICT business operate within the NT as of 2024
- 5,100 workers in 2025 in the digital industry in the NT
- AI and machine learning technology being used or trialled by many digital industry members in 2025.
Reference: Exploring the digital frontier - the digital industry of the NT, 2025.
The value of digital technology
There are multiple ways in which digital technology benefits the Territory.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) can assist local businesses to streamline operations, build efficiencies, innovate and grow. It can help coach students in their learning or help people throughout their daily lives with smart devices and online services.
- The NT digital business sector is growing, with demand for traditional digital businesses increasing and new businesses are exploring innovative niche areas, like eSports and computer game development.
- Virtual reality and augmented reality can help improve learning with new immersive experiences, or shape how people connect in completely new and different ways.
- Quantum computing provides significantly increased power to solving complex problems. Traditionally quantum computing has required specialist skills and hardware, but scalable and accessible versions of quantum computing is expected to be broadly available soon. This transformative problem-solving technology is expected to benefit almost all industries.
- Data centre and storage infrastructure demand is creating opportunities for the NT to play a greater role in technology and digital capability development in the future.
- Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites are rapidly transforming how people connect with each other and to the online services they need. Remote and rural Territorians no longer have to wait for expensive and slow infrastructure.