AI Review Committee

Chief Executive Officer, Digital Transformation Agency 

Chris Fechner was appointed the Chief Executive Officer at the Digital Transformation Agency on 13 October 2021. Mr Fechner is also the Head of the Digital Profession.

Mr Fechner has extensive experience in state government services, focusing on large scale digital and ICT reform and transformation programs as well as implementing contemporary investment, contestability, and governance frameworks.

Before joining the Australian Public Service, Mr Fechner was the Queensland Government Chief Customer and Digital Officer and Chief Digital and Product Officer at Service NSW. Prior to that, he held a number of senior positions across the NSW and Queensland governments as well as in freight and rail organisations.

Mr Fechner holds an Executive Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Applied Science and Computing, both from the Queensland University of Technology.

General Manager, AI Governance, Department of Industry, Science and Resources

Dr Kate Conroy is General Manager of the AI Safety Institute at the Department of Industry, Science and Resources and Specialist Capability Officer Reservist in the Royal Australian Air Force (Responsible AI Lead). She is a globally recognised expert and international architect on AI safety and assurance in military and civilian domains, de-risking AI systems for national security and public confidence. 

Dr Conroy holds a PhD in philosophy, with doctoral research encompassing epistemology, cognitive science and applied ethics, and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in philosophy and the psychology of statistics. Her previous roles include AI Safety and Assurance Specialist Advisor for the Queensland Government and Chief Scientist for the Trusted Autonomous Systems Defence Cooperative Research Centre. Her experience has ranged from shaping national strategy and governance for robotics, autonomous systems and AI assurance, to the delivery of commercial digital platforms. 

Dr Conroy has contributed to notable frameworks and resources supporting AI governance, risk management and ethical practice. These include the National framework for the assurance of AI in government (2024), Queensland Foundational AI Risk Assessment (FAIRA) Framework (2024), Robotics and Autonomous Systems Gateway (2022) and A Method for Ethical AI for Defence (2021). She also co-edited the Institute for Network Cultures book, Good Data (2019). Dr Conroy was named winner of the 2025 Women in AI Asia-Pacific Award in the Defence and Intelligence category and one of 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics in 2023. 

Privacy Commissioner

Carly Kind commenced as Australia’s Privacy Commissioner in February 2024 for a 5-year term. 

As Privacy Commissioner, she regulates the handling of personal information by entities covered by the Australian Privacy Act 1988 and seeks to influence the development of legislation and advance privacy protections for Australians. 

Ms Kind was previously the inaugural director of the UK-based Ada Lovelace Institute, a research institute focused on the ethical and societal impacts of data and AI. She has worked with the European Commission, the Council of Europe, numerous UN bodies and a range of civil society organisations. 

Ms Kind has a Master of Science, International Relations (Hons) from the London School of Economics, a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, and a Bachelor of Arts (International Relations) (Hons) and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Queensland.

National Cyber Security Coordinator

Lieutenant General Michelle McGuinness CSC was appointed Australia’s National Cyber Security Coordinator on 26 February 2024. In this role, she supports the implementation of the 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy and leads whole-of-government coordination of response to significant cyber incidents, alongside strengthening cyber resilience and preparedness across the Australian Government and the broader economy.

Lieutenant General McGuinness brings more than 30 years of experience in the Australian Defence Force to the role, having served in a range of tactical, operational, and strategic roles, both domestically and internationally. 

Most recently, she served as Deputy Director Commonwealth Integration at the U.S. Defence Intelligence Agency, driving policy reform and technological integration. Her distinguished service has been recognised through multiple Australian and international awards, including the Conspicuous Service Cross and the 2025 Billington International Cyber Security Award.

Lieutenant General McGuinness holds a Bachelor of Arts (Politics and Bahasa Indonesian) and a Master of Arts (Strategy and Policy) from the University of New South Wales, and a Master of International Public Policy from the School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University. She is also a graduate of the Harvard Business School Executive Management Program.

Acting Deputy Commissioner, Workplace Relations, Integrity and Enabling Services, Australian Public Service Commission

Deputy Commissioner Smarter Data Program and Chief Data Officer, Australian Taxation Office

Andrew Watson leads the Australian Taxation Office’s Smarter Data Program, driving the development and scalable implementation of advanced data analytics, automation, artificial intelligence, and actionable insights that support the ATO’s purpose.

In addition to delivering innovative data solutions, Mr Watson oversees robust and ethical data management and governance frameworks, ensuring alignment with Australian Public Service–wide standards. He also contributes to cross-government committees dedicated to advancing data and analytics, including artificial intelligence, with a focus on enhancing service delivery to the community as well as improving productivity and capability across agencies.

With more than 30 years of experience at the ATO, Mr Watson has held multiple senior leadership roles, including responsibility for improving outcomes for individual taxpayers, strengthening engagement with tax professionals, supporting small businesses, and leading major technology transformation programs.

Mr Watson holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Adelaide and a Master of Business Administration (Public Sector Management) from Charles Sturt University. 

Deputy Commissioner Smarter Data Program and Chief Data Officer, Australian Taxation Office

Andrew Watson leads the Australian Taxation Office’s Smarter Data Program, driving the development and scalable implementation of advanced data analytics, automation, artificial intelligence, and actionable insights that support the ATO’s purpose.

In addition to delivering innovative data solutions, Mr Watson oversees robust and ethical data management and governance frameworks, ensuring alignment with Australian Public Service–wide standards. He also contributes to cross-government committees dedicated to advancing data and analytics, including artificial intelligence, with a focus on enhancing service delivery to the community as well as improving productivity and capability across agencies.

With more than 30 years of experience at the ATO, Mr Watson has held multiple senior leadership roles, including responsibility for improving outcomes for individual taxpayers, strengthening engagement with tax professionals, supporting small businesses, and leading major technology transformation programs.

Mr Watson holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Adelaide and a Master of Business Administration (Public Sector Management) from Charles Sturt University.