AI in Action Recap

On March 19, industry leaders and AI enthusiasts gathered in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth for an insightful discussion on how AI is reshaping the way we work and live. This panel event brought together experts from diverse industries to share their experiences, challenges, and strategies for using AI effectively and responsibly.

Special thanks must go to our hosts, BMP Technologies (Sydney), Shell Energy (Melbourne) and Rio Tinto (Perth).

The evening was filled with thought-provoking conversations, personal insights, and unforgettable one-liners. The event provided a balanced view of AI’s potential, highlighting its opportunities and challenges.

Key Takeaways from the Panel

• AI isn’t a magic fix, it’s a tool. The real power lies in how we use AI, not in the technology itself. Leaders must be intentional in leveraging AI to enhance productivity and decision-making rather than replacing human expertise.
• Ethical AI matters. One of the biggest risks with AI adoption is blindly trusting its outputs. The panelists across Sydney, Melbourne and Victoria all stressed the importance of questioning data, monitoring AI-generated decisions, and implementing guardrails to prevent bias and unintended consequences.
• AI is most valuable in consumption, not just development. Many of AI’s best applications come from how we use it in day-to-day life, from automating repetitive tasks to enhancing creativity and strategic thinking.
  Career mobility in AI is growing. A major discussion point across all three events was how professionals, especially those without a technical background, can transition into AI-related roles. Curiosity and a willingness to learn are key drivers for career growth in this space.
• Leaders need better AI education. There is still a significant gap in understanding AI’s capabilities at the leadership level. Decision-makers must invest in proper AI education to ensure responsible and effective adoption.

Tools to Consider

During the events, several AI-powered tools were discussed that are making a real impact across industries:

• ChatGPT & Claude – For content generation, brainstorming, and idea refinement.
• MidJourney & DALL·E – AI-powered design and image creation tools.
• Notion AI & Grammarly – Enhancing writing, summarization, and organization.
• Synthesia & ElevenLabs – AI-generated video and voice solutions.
• AI-powered automation tools (Zapier, Make) – Helping teams streamline workflows.

One unexpected game-changer? AI can categorise and summarise handwritten notes – even post-its!

The Bias Challenge: AI and Representation

A crucial topic of discussion was bias in AI. Many AI systems inherit biases due to historically male-dominated data sets, which can lead to skewed outcomes and reinforce existing inequalities. The panel highlighted why diverse teams are essential in AI development – to clean data, question biases, and ensure inclusive decision-making.

AI presents a net gain of opportunities, but only if we intentionally include women and underrepresented groups in its development. Without diverse perspectives, we risk perpetuating inequalities rather than solving them.
The call to action? Put the customer at the centre of AI use cases. Ensure that AI aligns with business objectives, ethics, and, most importantly, human needs.

Final Thoughts

The discussions were dynamic, the energy was high, and the takeaways were invaluable. AI is not just shaping the future of work… It’s already here, and how we engage with it will define the next decade.

A huge thank you to our incredible panelists:

Melbourne, powered by Shell Energy

• Jessica Dawson (NAB)
• Kimberley Morrison (Aurecon)
• Daniela Paino (Shell Energy)
• Amanda Bennie (HESTA)
• And our MC And WID Ambassador Vinojini Nair (GHD)

Sydney, hosted by BMP Technologies

• Sushma Murthy (MedConnect AI)
• Laura Brock (Crowdstrike)
• Sam Garven (Hello Canopy)
• And our MC and WID Ambassador Stevie-Ann Dovico (Beyond Bank)

Perth, powered by Rio Tinto

• Leon Burgin (Woodside Energy)
• Dr. Rachna Dhand (Rio Tinto)
• Ming Johanson (Marketing Jumpstart)
• And our MC and WID Ambassador Nadia Reyhani (Trust AI)

And, of course, to everyone who attended and contributed to the conversation! Stay curious, question everything, and remember: AI is only as good as the people using it.