Digital literacy roadmap: Bendigo programs aim to close the tech gap with new AI courses and bank partnerships

Bendigo residents who struggle with technology, or just want to get ahead of the AI wave, are getting more options. The Bendigo Neighbourhood Hub will offer a free 'Intro to AI' course starting in late July 2026, alongside revamped versions of its Intro to MS Word and Intro to Google Docs classes.

The Hub already runs a 10-week 'Basic Computers' course for absolute beginners at no cost. That class covers everything from using a mouse to saving files, handling USB devices, browsing the internet and sending email. It's funded by the Department of Adult, Community and Further Education.

Why this matters now

The push comes as technology moves faster than many people can keep up. On the same day Hub officials were finalising their late-July schedule, OpenAI was reportedly preparing a screenless speaker that can move, Apple opened its new Siri AI to everyone in the iOS 27 public beta, and warnings spread about an AI model that deletes files on its own. For Bendigo residents who didn't grow up with a mouse in hand, or who have never typed a prompt into ChatGPT, the gap between daily life and digital life keeps widening.

Data from the Australian Digital Inclusion Index consistently shows that older Australians, those on lower incomes, and people in regional areas face steeper barriers. Bendigo's programs are responding directly to that.

Bank branches become classrooms

Beyond the Hub, Bendigo Bank has teamed up with the Good Things Foundation to offer free digital skills training through more than 50 of its branches. The bank's program includes one-on-one help and small group sessions aimed at customers who feel left behind by online banking, smartphone apps or the shift to digital-only services.

Both programs provide laptops and individualised support. For some participants, it's the first time they've used a computer outside a library or a grandchild's house.

The eSafety Commissioner has also published a free 'Your Online Journey' trainers guide that local community groups can use to run their own workshops. It covers staying safe online, spotting scams and building confidence on public Wi-Fi, topics that become more urgent as Bendigo's digital economy grows.

Other resources available in the region include Be Connected, a national program that offers free tech advice for seniors, and DLTV's digital literacy events for teachers and adult learners. The Bendigo Reads website lists upcoming courses and tech-help drop-ins across the city.

What comes next is not yet fully mapped, but the trajectory is clear. As AI tools become household names, and as global tech giants release devices that learn from every interaction, Bendigo's non-profit and community banking sectors are investing in the human side of the equation.

For anyone wanting to get started, the Hub's courses are free. Enrolment opens this month. Laptops are provided. No prior knowledge required.