Company Interview / Audinate turns up the volume on AI

Key points:

FY26 loss driven by higher investment and restructuring, with 15% revenue growthAI seen as a major tailwind, enabled by Audinate’s networked AV technology (ASX:AD8)Supply chain focus moves from chip shortages to RAM and FPGA pressures

Audinate CEO Aidan Williams outlines a mixed FY26 result, with the company swinging to a US$3.6 million loss from a US$0.7 million profit, which he links to heavier product development and restructuring spend. Revenue rises 15% to US$46 million, at the top end of guidance, and Williams highlights gross margins around 82% and healthy new product design metrics as indicators, in his view, of resilient core business momentum and a platform for future growth in FY27 and beyond. No dividend is declared.

Williams describes artificial intelligence as a structural tailwind for Audinate (ASX:AD8). He characterises the firm as an enabler of AI in the audiovisual sector, shifting legacy, hardware‑and‑cable based installations onto IP networks with APIs. In his view, this networked architecture is what allows AI to be applied across specification, installation, programming and live operation of AV systems, from automated room tuning to voice‑driven controls.

On capital markets and supply chains, Williams argues Audinate was unfairly swept up in the “SaaS sell‑off”, stressing its technology is embedded in physical AV equipment rather than a pure seat‑based subscription model. He says historic chip overstock issues have eased, but RAM shortages and AI‑driven semiconductor reallocations are pressuring input costs. Near‑term strategic focus shifts to building out direct channels for AVIO adapters and software into projects, supplementing the traditional OEM manufacturer channel.