Australia is stepping into the AI race with its first locally developed large language model (LLM), Matilda, designed specifically for the nation’s needs. Created by Sydney-based startup Maincode, Matilda is trained on local Australian data, giving it a clear advantage when addressing region-specific issues compared to global models like ChatGPT.
Unlike existing AI tools that often “hallucinate” when answering niche questions about Australian taxes, laws, or education, Matilda aims to provide accurate, trustworthy, and highly relevant answers. The first generation of the model will focus entirely on solving Australian-specific challenges before expanding to global markets.
Maincode is working closely with local content providers, including the Australian Taxation Office, to ensure the model can handle precise and complex questions. According to Maincode founder Dave Lamfers, the goal is to create an AI that citizens and businesses can trust, avoiding the misinformation that often arises when global models attempt to answer local queries.
Although Matilda is not yet publicly available, early access registration is open, with an official debut planned for October at the SXSW Sydney conference. This strategic launch is expected to spark interest not just among Australians but also internationally, especially as Maincode positions itself as a potential future competitor to industry giants like OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, and xAI.
One of Maincode’s unique offerings will be an “AI model factory” service, enabling clients to create specialized versions of Matilda tailored to their own data and operational needs. This mirrors similar offerings from top AI players but is designed with a more agile, collaborative approach. By developing a flexible core model and layering it with industry-specific expertise, Maincode plans to serve sectors from law to education with bespoke AI solutions.
Lamfers emphasizes that the current goal is not to compete head-to-head with OpenAI on scale but to build a reliable foundation. Once proven locally, Maincode aims to scale globally, potentially challenging Europe’s Mistral and the U.S. AI heavyweights.
With the AI landscape becoming increasingly competitive, Matilda represents a significant step forward in technological sovereignty for Australia. It’s not just about building another chatbot — it’s about creating an AI ecosystem grounded in local knowledge, trust, and adaptability. If successful, Matilda could set a precedent for how nations develop AI aligned with their own priorities.
Conclusion
Matilda is more than a technological milestone; it’s a statement about Australia’s ability to innovate in AI. By starting with a strong domestic focus, Maincode is laying the groundwork for a model that could one day stand alongside — or even above — today’s AI giants. With its October launch on the horizon, the world will be watching to see if Matilda can truly give ChatGPT a run for its money.
