The AI Government Showcase brings together APS leaders, practitioners, policy makers and Australian AI innovators to explore practical approaches to the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence across government.
Please note: The program and speaker lineup are current at the time of publication and remain subject to change pending final speaker confirmation, availability and event requirements.
2026 program
morning session | mid session | afternoon session - breakout sessions
Morning session
8:00 am - Registration and exhibition open
Arrive, collect your badge and connect with colleagues, government leaders and Australian AI innovators.
9:00 am - Welcome
Johanna Weaver - Co-Founder & Executive Director, Tech Policy Design Institute
Opening remarks and event overview.
9:05 am - Welcome to Country
The Welcome to Country will formally open the event, acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land.
9:15 am - Ministerial keynote
Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher - Federal Minister for Finance, Women, the Public Service and Government Services
Learn about Australian Public Service (APS) progress on AI adoption, government priorities, and the importance of capability uplift, responsible use and engagement with Australian AI suppliers.
9:50 am - Building an AI-ready APS: delivering the next phase of AI in government
Panel Discussion: Matt Yannopoulos, PSM - Secretary of the Department of Finance, Abigail Bradshaw - Director-General of the Australian Signals Directorate, Dr. Subho Banerjee - Deputy Commissioner, Australian Public Service Commission, Lucy Poole - Deputy CEO, Digital Transformation Agency
Senior public sector leaders discuss opportunities, challenges and lessons from implementing AI across government.
10:35 am - Morning tea and exhibition
Meet exhibitors and explore demonstrations from Australian AI small to medium businesses.
Mid session
11:00 am - Minute of Silence for Remembrance Day
11:05 am - Keynote: Australia's AI opportunity: Shaping the future we want
Speaker to be confirmed
A strategic keynote presenting a national perspective on AI, capability development, innovation and Australia’s future opportunities across government and industry.
11:45 am - Building AI capability and adoption across Australia
Panel Discussion: Jo Talbot - First Assistant Commissioner, Australian Public Service Commission, Monita Lal - Head of AI Delivery and Enablement, Department of Finance, Lee Hickin - Executive Director, National AI Centre, Jonathon Thorpe - Deputy CEO and Chief Customer Officer, Services Australia
This senior APS leadership panel will explore the practical lessons emerging from government and industry as organisations move from ambition to implementation.
12:30 pm - Lunch and exhibition
Lunch, networking and demonstrations.
Afternoon session
1:30 pm - AI in Practice: lessons from GovAI
Daniel Livesey - Director GovAI, Department of Finance and Andrew Morrison - Assistant Secretary, GovAI, Department of Finance
This session explores practical lessons from 2 whole-of-government AI initiatives delivered through GovAI. Through real-world case studies, attendees will hear how the APS is building workforce capability, enabling innovation, establishing governance arrangements and supporting agency adoption of AI.
2:10 pm - Afternoon breakout sessions
Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in practical sessions across 3 main streams.
Stream 1: Delivering AI in government
Explore practical approaches to implementing AI in government, including capability development, governance, change management and lessons from agency adoption.
Sessions include:
- 2.15pm: Making AI work: Agency lessons from implementation (IP Australia, ATO)
- 2.45pm: Deploying AI in Services Australia: Lessons from the AI Accountable Officer, Chief AI Officer, Chief Data Officer and Delivery Lead
- 3.15pm: AI in practice: lessons from the ABS Census use case
Stream 2: Cyber, data and secure foundations
Examine the critical foundations that enable trusted AI, including cybersecurity, data management, assurance, risk management and secure-by-design approaches.
Sessions include:
- 2.15pm: Leading with data: why strong data foundations matter for AI success
- 2.45pm: Protecting what matters: cyber security, privacy and sensitive data in AI
- 3.15pm: Trust by design: how Australian SMEs are building responsible AI
Stream 3: The future of AI in government
Consider emerging technologies, evolving policy challenges and future opportunities for AI to transform government services, operations and decision-making.
Sessions include:
- 2.15pm: The Human Element: What APS leaders need to prepare for next
- 2.45pm: Agentic AI and human accountability: Governing more autonomous systems
- 3.15pm: Future horizons: Emerging AI capabilities for government
3:30 pm - Afternoon tea and final exhibition
Final opportunity to connect with exhibitors and attendees.
4:00 pm - Bringing it all together: what we heard today
Johanna Weaver - Co-Founder and Executive Director, Tech Policy Design Institute
The Master of Ceremonies will lead a synthesis of insights from keynote speakers, panels, case studies and breakout sessions, identifying key themes and practical takeaways for the future of AI in government.
4:15 pm - Closing remarks
Lucy Poole - Deputy CEO, Digital Transformation Agency
Key takeaways and event close.