AI in science: The promise, perils and path forward - What is AI?

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Curious about how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the world around us?

Join the Australian Academy of Science in 2025 for ‘AI in science: the promise, perils and path forward’ to explore the current and future implications of AI.

This event is the first of six, and it will set the scene for the series across 2025. 

Event 1 – What is AI?

Join an expert panel to take a look at what AI means, how it is being used in our everyday lives, and how it is likely to impact us in the future. The panel will also delve into the risks, limitations and ethics of AI use in science and society. 

 

What is AI event summary image

The above illustration was created by graphic scribe, Indigo Strudwicke, who joined us live to capture the event summary. 

 

Further reading

Below are links to further reading following the panel discussion.

Academy Factsheet: Bringing Australia's supercomputing up to speed PDF ( 436 KB )
Toby Walsh is Laureate Fellow and Scientia Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at UNSW, research group leader at CSIRO’s Data61, adjunct professor at QUT, external Professor of the Department of Information Science at Uppsala University, an honorary fellow of the School of Informatics at Edinburgh University and an Associate Member of the Australian Human Rights Institute at UNSW.
Jeannie Paterson is a Professor of Consumer Protection and Technology Law and Director of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Ethics at the University of Melbourne, and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law. Jeannie’s research focuses on the regulatory and ethical challenges of safe and responsible AI, with a particular interest in the use of chatbots and virtual agents.
As the National Chief Technology Officer for Microsoft, Sarah Carney spearheads the technical strategy, vision, and execution for the company's most significant customers across enterprise and government sectors. In addition to her primary role, Sarah is also the Responsible AI lead for Microsoft in Australia and New Zealand and a member of Microsoft’s regional AI product Red Team.
Anthony Murfett is the Head of Division for Technology and Digital within the Department of Industry, Science and Resources. The Division is responsible for providing policy advice to government, delivering programs and engaging domestically and internationally on critical and enabling technologies as well as the digitisation of the economy. Current priorities include quantum technologies, robotics and automation, artificial intelligence, over the horizon technologies as well as the responsible use of these technologies.

 

Event details 

Date: Tuesday 11 February 2025 

Time: Canapes and drinks are served in the Jaeger Room from 5.30pm, with the panel discussion (and the livestream) starting at 6.00pm AEDT. 

Venue: Shine Dome, 15 Gordon Street, Acton ACT (and online livestream) 

 

Series details

Series dates

The events are held at the Shine Dome in Canberra on the second Tuesday of every second month:

Tuesday 11 February: What is AI?
Tuesday 8 April: AI and our health 
Tuesday 10 June: AI and our environment 
Tuesday 12 August: AI and our food 
Tuesday 14 October: AI and our safety 
Tuesday 9 December: AI in science and research 

Series host

 

Lish Fejer

The Academy is pleased to welcome ABC's Lish Fejer as the host for all the events across this series. As a seasoned radio broadcaster and passionate science communicator, Lish will deliver illuminating sessions with her engaging style and thought-provoking questions.


Series convenors

Thank you to the convenors supporting the series in 2025:

  • Professor Ian Chubb AC FAA FTSE, Secretary Science Policy, Australian Academy of Science
  • Professor Bob Graham AO FAA FAHMS, Vice President and Secretary for Biological Sciences, Australian Academy of Science 


Series partners and supporters 

 

Digital science logo

Digital science

Pawsey logo

Pawsey

Location

For more information about the series and the other events, please visit the series webpage. For all enquiries, please email events@science.org.au.