Artificial Intelligence is transforming industries, reshaping societies, and redefining the boundaries of innovation. Yet with rapid progress come serious questions—about ethics, bias, accountability, regulation, the future of work and the way humans create. This panel brings together experts from technology, academia, and the creative industry to explore the complex landscape of AI development and its many applications.
Through a candid and forward-looking discussion, for a general audience, panellists will examine the real-world challenges posed by AI systems—such as algorithmic fairness, data privacy, job displacement, effect on studying and teaching and unintended consequences—while highlighting the transformative opportunities in areas like healthcare, education, climate science and creativity. Hear from and ask questions of people who work in the field of Artificial Intelligence, who think deeply about its application and are working out the challenges and opportunities of AI.
Whether you're a curious observer, an AI practitioner, business leader, policy maker, or creative, this session offers a nuanced look at how we can shape AI so it reflects who we are, and to find out how or if AI can serve the public good without sacrificing innovation. AI is influencing our society, culture, and even our relationship with ourselves. This is a chance to understand how.
About the Speakers
Kate Armstrong-Smith
CEO & Founder of Othelia Technologies | Cultural Futurist | Advocate for Human-Centered AI in Storytelling
Kate Armstrong-Smith is the CEO and Founder of Othelia Technologies, a female led, pioneering cultural research lab redefining the intersection of artificial intelligence and storytelling. Under her leadership, Othelia has emerged as a champion for creative technology that empowers writers, filmmakers, and content creators to expand their narrative possibilities through intuitive, AI-driven tools. Inspired by Ursula K. Le Guin's vision of stories as carrier bags for ideas, Kate’s work centers on preserving the magic of storytelling while embracing technological innovation.
Othelia, an Australian-made company whose office is now in Hollywood, collaborates with major studios, filmmakers, and film schools across Europe and LA—including Amazon, Apple, and Disney, Royal Danish School, Festival Du Cannes, Sydney Opera House and the Entertainment Technology Centre of California. Kate’s focus is on protecting story data while enabling creatives to leverage intelligent technology in an artistically safe environment.
With a background in narrative design, theatre and cultural producing and deep expertise in technology-driven storytelling, Kate is a fierce advocate for human-centered AI, ensuring that technology enhances rather than replaces the creative voice. Kate is a frequent speaker on the future of storytelling, AI-driven narrative design, and the ethical implications of machine learning in creative industries. Her mission is clear: to ensure that technology serves as a tool for deeper human connection, rather than an obstacle to it.
Phil Laufenberg
Head of Artificial Intelligence, Macquarie University
Phil Laufenberg is a seasoned AI leader with experience across academia and industry. As Head of AI at Macquarie University, he oversees strategic initiatives that drive innovation in education, research, health and enterprise applications. He has a track record of leading successful AI-driven projects, including scaling an education SaaS platform to 200,000 service students across 80% of Australian Universities and holding a patent in artificial intelligence.
Phil’s leadership in AI spans developing ethical AI frameworks, championing automation in business processes, and fostering industry-academic collaborations. He contributes to research in AI and machine learning, and consistently emphasises responsible, impactful AI solutions that bridge academic insight with real-world enterprise needs. Phil is also an author and keynote speaker on AI innovation, advising enterprises on how to harness AI responsibly for competitive advantage.
Rita Arrigo
Strategic Engagement Manager, The National AI Centre
Rita Arrigo serves as the Strategic Engagement Manager at the National AI Centre, where she is focused on empowering the Australian AI Industry growth for collaboration across the AI landscape. Her mission is to elevate Australia's global AI adoption and cultivate a responsible AI industry.
With a wealth of experience in digital and AI strategy, Rita has delivered thought leadership on topics such as Generative AI, AI in Cyber Security, and AI for Climate Tech. She has launched the AI Industry Connection forum to connect companies interested in emerging AI with the cutting-edge research and the AI Industry. Not a newcomer to revolution, her first love being telecommunications, having launched Australia’s first internet café at it is now recreated at the National Communication Museum as a cybercafé. She is also a Leonardo for Science Gallery.
As a renowned digital & AI strategist she cultivates innovation with emerging technologies including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Generative AI, Machine Learning (ML), Mixed Reality (MR). Previously Chief Digital Advisor at Microsoft. She was appointed an AI Ambassador and continues to advocate for ways that AI and XR can build better futures for our work and communities.
Richard Cooke
Foreign Correspondant & Author
Richard Cooke is a foreign correspondent and author. A contributing editor to The Monthly magazine, his work has appeared in many publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, WIRED, Best Australian Essays and The Guardian. A former Columnist of the Year, he is also winner of the June Andrews Award for Arts Journalism and the Walkley Award for Feature Writing. His latest book, Dark Star Rising, is a political biography of Elon Musk.
Michaela Kalowski
Moderator/Interviewer
Michaela Kalowski is an interviewer, moderator & curator for writers and ideas festivals. She co-produced Ideas Exchange for Woollahra Council from 2017-2023 and lead discussions on topics including climate change, racism, free speech and gender bias. She produces and hosts a monthly books conversation event for Petersham Bowling Club. Michaela has conducted radio interviews and presented programs across ABC radio. She's co-presenter & co-writer of a two-part podcast for ABC RN, tracing part of her family’s history, called Laya’s Way Home. Highlight interviews include Margaret Atwood, David Mitchell, Stan Grant & Markus Zusak. She's the curator of Big Weekend of Books, ABC RN’s on-air writers’ festival.