Overview

The ADM South Australian Defence Summit returns for its third edition on Tuesday 1st July 2025, bringing together senior leaders from Defence, industry and academia to explore South Australia’s vital role in Defence and national security.

Key themes for 2025 include:

  • Naval shipbuilding and South Australia’s contribution to maritime capability
  • Supply chains and infrastructure
  • Next generation weapons systems and emerging military technologies
  • Defence research and development
  • Cybersecurity and AI in modern defence operations
  • Advanced and additive manufacturing

Defence Artificial Intelligence and Industry Symposium 2025

30th June Adelaide Convention Centre, SA

The Defence Artificial Intelligence Research Network (DAIRNet) is pleased to host this symposium, as part of the ADM South Australian Defence Summit. This symposium serves as a platform for a meaningful exchange between the Australian Defence and Artificial Intelligence (AI) communities, providing an opportunity to explore both differences and commonalities, while also discussing potential avenues for future collaboration.

As the Defence sector rapidly evolves, the integration of Responsible AI (RAI) presents both exciting opportunities and challenges. While progress is being made, the adoption of RAI across Defence remains inconsistent.

Given the growing significance of RAI, it is more important than ever to deepen our understanding of its implementation and the associated risks. We invite you to join us in this crucial conversation on RAI, as we work towards establishing standardised processes to ensure its use within Defence.

DAIRNet is an initiative of the Department of Defence and is managed in partnership with the University of South Australia. To learn more, visit www.dairnet.com.au

Program
DAIRNet Defence AI Industry Symposium

9:00am – 1:00pm, Monday, 30th June 2025
8:30 – 9:00 Registration
9:00 – 9:15 Welcome
9:15 – 9:45 Keynote address
Theme: “Current RAI Landscape”
9:45– 10:30 Panel discussion
Theme: “Standardisation and the Path to RAI”
10:30 – 10:50 Morning tea break
10:50 – 12:10 Case study activity
12:10 – 12:55 Networking
12:55 – 13:00 Closing remarks

Speakers


Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead AO
Director General, Australian Submarine Agency


Dr Robert Hunjet
Associate Professor, Program Leader – Australian Defence Science and Universities Network, Defence Science and Technology Group, Department of Defence


Alex Walsh
Chief Nuclear & Capability Officer, ASC


Matt Opie
Chief Executive, Defence SA


Dr Mel McDowall
Director, Defence Artificial Intelligence Research Network


Libby Day
Chief Executive Officer, Defence Teaming Centre


LTCOL Jake Penley
Commanding Officer – 1st Armoured Regiment, Australian Army


Graham Priestnall OAM
President, AIDN SA


Sumen Rai
Director, Defence Innovation Partnership


Matthew Theoharous
Executive General Manager – Defence and Social Infrastructure, Built Australia


Dr Sanjay Mazumdar
Executive Director,
Defence Trailblazer


Estha van der Linden
Head – South Australia,
Ai Group


Prof Belinda Chiera
Deputy Director Industrial AI Research Centre, University of South Australia


WGCDR S. Kate Conroy
Responsible AI Lead, Jericho Disruptive Innovation, Royal Australian Air Force


Dr Liming Zhu
Research Director, Software and Computational Systems, Data 61, CSIRO


Professor Siobhan Banks
Director – Behaviour-Brain-Body Research Centre, University of South Australia


Professor Colin Hall
Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia


Anthony Weymouth
Head of Technology, Defence, Advanced Manufacturing and Space, Austrade


Jeremy Satchell
Head of Industry Capability,
BAE Systems Australia

Sponsors

Platinum Sponsor

Welcome Reception Sponsor

Exhibitors

Partners

Charity Partner

Workshop | Collaborative Leadership for AUKUS Success

Date: 27 August 2024 | Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

In a world that thrives on collaboration, it is crucial to understand the barriers faced by industry, government, and academia in working together effectively. This workshop aims to identify these challenges and provide participants with the tools and strategies to excel in the AUKUS supply chain as trusted partners and valued collaborators.

Through engaging discussions and hands-on activities, you will explore the concept of collaborative leadership and learn how to adapt it to your organisation’s unique needs. With a focus on competing in collaborative supply chains for AUKUS, you will gain insights into fostering better internal, local, and international collaboration.

Allan Ryan, Executive Director of Hargraves Institute, brings his extensive research and experience in making collaboration a competitive advantage for businesses globally. Join Allan and fellow leaders in this unique opportunity to expand your capabilities, gain practical tools, and empower your teams to adopt collaborative practices that drive success.

By attending this workshop you will:

  • Identify what collaborative leadership means to your organisation
  • Understand how to better compete in collaborative supply chains for AUKUS
  • Explore tools for better collaboration internally, locally and internationally
  • Takeaway a toolkit to engage your team with collaborative practices

Host: Allan Ryan, Executive Director, Hargraves Institute

Register for the Workshop Here

Tuesday 27th August | Defence Trade Controls Amendment Act 2024 Forum

Defence Export Controls will introduce the key changes that are occurring to Australia’s Defence Export Controls  framework resulting from the new Defence Trade Controls Amendment Act 2024.

13:00    Registration

14:00     Welcome and Introduction

Libby Day, CEO, Defence Teaming Centre

14:10     Defence Export Controls

  • An overview of Australia’s current Defence export control framework
  • Key changes introduced by the DTC Amendment Act (i.e. exemptions, new offences, licence-free environment, record keeping)
  • Available support to help you comply with the new legislation.
  • Questions and Answers

Rosanna Domenici, Executive Director, Defence Export Controls Reform, Department of Defence

15:00     Networking break

15:30     Introduction to Government Partners

  • A view of cross-government roles relating to trade control and security measures

15:40     Australian Border Force

James Ryan, Superintendent Counter Proliferation, Australian Border Force
Gabriella Jeffery, A/Supervisor, Senior Investigator, Counter Proliferation, Australian Border Force

15:55     Foreign Arrangements branch 

Barbara Rooks, Assistant Director, Complex Assessments, Foreign Arrangements Branch, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

16:10     Safeguarding Australia’s Military Secrets

Virginia Konno, Director, Safeguarding Australia’s Military Secrets, Department of Defence

16:20     Australian Sanctions Office

Claudine Lamond, Director, Sanctions Compliance and Outreach, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

16:30     Q and A Session

Rosanna Domenici, Executive Director, Defence Export Controls Reform, Department of Defence
James Ryan, Superintendent Counter Proliferation, Australian Border Force
Gabriella Jeffery, A/Supervisor, Senior Investigator, Counter Proliferation, Australian Border Force
Barbara Rooks, Assistant Director, Complex Assessments, Foreign Arrangements Branch, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Claudine Lamond, Director, Sanctions Compliance and Outreach, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Virginia Konno, Director, Safeguarding Australia’s Military Secrets, Department of Defence

17:00     Closing Remarks from the Chair

Libby Day, CEO, Defence Teaming Centre

17:30     Welcome Reception

Sponsored by

Guest speaker:
Steph Lysaght, UK Consul-General, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania

FORUM REGO

CONFERENCE AGENDA 28th August

07:30

Registration and Morning coffee

08:20

Welcome

Ewen Levick, Publisher, The Australian Defence Magazine

08:25

OPENING | Opening remarks from the Chair

Libby Day, CEO, Defence Teaming Centre

08:30

State Government Address |

The Hon Stephen Mullighan MP, Treasurer and Minister for Defence and Space Industries, South Australia

09:00

How South Australia is best placed to deliver future capability for Australia’s fighting forces.

  • Building on the advantages of our world-class research, innovative delivery, and highly skilled workforce
  • Addressing the key challenges for future growth in South Australia’s Defence sector
  • Easing the path for SA contractors to access global supply chains

Matt Opie, Chief Executive, Defence SA

09:20

International Address: Accessing US Supply Chains

  • Implications of the South Australia and Maryland AUKUS pact
  • A collaborated approach to developing the skilled defence workforce
  • Connecting South Australian companies with US organisations with shared areas of expertise
  • Developing common research projects

Mia Romeo, Regional Manager, Department of Commerce, Maryland USA   

09:40

Keynote Address: Transforming the way breakthrough military solutions are delivered

  • Addressing the concept of minimum viable capability
  • Embracing risk while articulating the problem but not the solution
  • Pulling asymmetrical innovations into capabilities
  • Implementing new approaches for agile contracting and procurement

Prof Emily Hilder, Head, Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator

10:10

 Streamlining and accelerating access into AUKUS Supply chains

  • Improving processes to facilitate integration into AUKUS supply chains
  • Collaboration between AUKUS partners to optimise supply chain efficiency
  • Utilising technology and innovation

Kate van Hilst, First Assistant Director General – SSN Construction, Australian Submarine Agency

10:40

Building Australia’s future defence industry through strategic vision, collaboration, and innovation

  • How a new risk-based approach to procurement decision-making may impact defence industry.
  • Can we get the right people with the right skill sets to deliver future capability?
  • Sustainability issues: Effectively greening future capability
  • Working effectively with SMEs to enhance South Australia’s enviable reputation for innovation.

Rebecca Humble, Chief Strategy Officer, QinetiQ

11:00

Morning tea

Stream A: Delivering Defence Capability

Chair: Libby Day, CEO, Defence Teaming Centre

11:30 The role of The SA Office for AUKUS

  • Supporting South Australia’s Defence sector
  • Establishing a single point of contact for Commonwealth agencies
  • Enhancing access to AUKUS supply chains

Dylan Jones, Director, Office for AUKUS, Department of Premier and Cabinet

12:00 Understanding the impact of the ITAR and Export Controls reforms

  • Why so many export controls reforms?
  • What are the key changes in this environment?
  • How can your organisation ensure compliance?
  • How can your organisation get ahead?

Shashank Ramakrishna, Director & Co-Founder, SAHR
Benjamin Harvey, Manager – Industry Programs, SAHR

12:20 Panel: Accessing AUKUS supply chains.

  • Assessing the opportunities AUKUS presents for South Australia’s defence industry
  • Key challenges in accessing AUKUS supply chains
  • Understanding the impact of the ITAR and Export Controls reforms

Mike Humphreys, Director Pillar 1 (AUKUS), HII Australia
Dr James Palmer, CEO, Silentium Defence
Graham Priestnall, President, AIDN South Australia
Andy Semmler, Head of Australian Industry Capability, ASC
Moderated by Mel Slater, Director Maritime, Defence SA

13:00 Networking and Lunch break

14:00 Considerations for Defence AI

  • Embracing AI’s potential to deter, shape, and change the character of warfare
  • Unique challenges for AI when applied to the Defence context
  • Developing more resilient AI capabilities
  • AI as an enabler for autonomy

Dr Robert Hunjet, Associate Professor, Program Leader – Australian Defence Science and Universities Network, DSTG

14:20 Case Study: Technology adoption pathways: a key enabler to capability delivery

  • Purpose-built collaboration models with a strong focus on the industrialisation and scalability of Australian research
  • Accelerating the development of strategically important, platform-independent technologies
  • Focusing on significant challenges around manufacturability, sustainment and capability assurance
  • Contributing to sovereign manufacturing outcomes, and security of supply

Dr Mark Hodge, Chief Executive Officer, DMTC

14:40 Panel: Developing South Australia’s Defence Infrastructure

  • Key challenges in successfully delivering Defence infrastructure.
  • Exploring opportunities to enhance delivery and improve outcomes.
  • Do we have the people and the talent to deliver multiple complex projects on-time and on-budget?
  • Innovative contracting for infrastructure projects

Matthew Theoharous, Executive General Manager, Lendlease
Tim Tape, Development Director, Renewal SA
Jason Miezo, Defence Sector Lead, Sitzler
Moderated by Darian Macey, Founder, DECnet

15:40 The SA Defence Industry Workforce Action Plan

  • Taking a coordinated approach to support defence industry workforce requirements
  • What’s underway to address immediate challenges
  • Importance of integrated initiatives on a learner journey from primary school to mid-career transitions
  • Recognising supporting measures that address constraints and opportunities relevant to the defence industry

Callan Markwick, Executive Director, Industry and Workforce Capability, Department of State Development

16:00 Case study: Recruiting for the upgrade of the P-8A Poseideon

  • Finding the right people with the right skills
  • Creating upskilling and pathway opportunities
  • Addressing workforce diversity challenges

Ben Knabe, Director Product Support, Training and Maintenance (PST&M) capability, Boeing

16:20 Panel: Can South Australia develop the skills required to deliver future capability?

  • Developing a coordinated approach to address skills requirements
  • What skills are industry most in need of now? What about in 10 years’ time?
  • How effective are current program such as
    • South Australia’s Career Education and Pathways Program
  • South Australia’s Flexible Industry Program for secondary schools
  • Women in STEM cadetships
  • Advanced Apprenticeships Program
  • TAFE SA’s training for naval shipbuilding and sustainment projects
  • Industry partnering with universities and TAFE
  • Will Fee-Free TAFE help increase demand for skills of need?
  • Clearing pathways into Defence and Defence industry
  • Challenges to increasing diversity in Defence workforces
  • Skilled migration amidst a cost of living crisis

Nick Howie, Director of Strategic Industry Partnership (Defence & Space), TAFE SA
Rachel Botting, Head of People and Culture, ASC
Libby Day, CEO, Defence Teaming Centre
A/Prof Stewart Von Itzstein, Professorial Lead, UNISA STEM, University of South Australia
Moderated by Dr Jo Zucco, Program Director UNISA STEM, University of South Australia

17:00 Networking drinks

Stream B: Defence Research and Innovation

Chair: Assoc Prof Belinda Chiera, Deputy Director, Industrial AI Research Centre, University of South Australia

11:40 Case study: Delivering and integrating emerging technologies for frontline troops

  • The role of 1st Armoured Regiment, and how it fits within the new Army Accelerated Capability Pipeline (AACP)
  • The Regiment’s priorities heading to Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025
  • Lessons we have learnt so far, January 2024 to now

LTCOL Jake Penley, Commanding Officer, 1st Armoured Regiment, Australian Army
MAJ Thomas Fisher, Officer Commanding C Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment, Australian Army

12:00 Investing in innovation

  • The role of innovation intermediaries like the Defence Innovation Partnership
  • South Australia’s R&D strengths
  • Case studies of funded projects
  • Future engagement and funding opportunities

Sumen Rai, Director, Defence Innovation Partnership

12:20 Panel: Financing Defence innovation

  • Assessing the scope and potential of private finance in Australia’s Defence capability
  • What the investment community is seeking from Defence innovators
  • What could Governments be doing to further attract private investment and superfunds into Defence assets and companies
  • Understanding and assessing risks in Defence contracting coupled with ESG concerns
  • Defence as an Asset class

Tim Haden, Director of Origination,  Australian Business Growth Fund
Kirsten Bernhardt, Investment Manager, South Australia Venture Capital Fund
Moderated by Sumen Rai, Director, Defence Innovation Partnership
Senator The Hon David Fawcett, Senator for South Australia

13:00 Networking and Lunch break

14:00 Case study: Working with ILaunch Trailblazer to commercialise two disruptive space energy technologies

  • Developing a Radioisotope Heater Unit to provide thermal management for multiple lunar night survival
  • Commercialising long-term power sources to spacecraft where solar energy cannot be relied upon
  • How the partnership between entX and ILaunch works.

Bryn Jones, Managing Director, ent X
Prof Drew Evans, Professorial Lead, Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia

14:20 The Silent Saboteur: The Impact of Fatigue on Team Performance

  • Evaluating the effect of fatigue on team cohesion, performance and communication
  • Impact of fatigue on distributed and disaggregated teams
  • Innovative and enhanced ways of quantifying operator and team fatigue
  • Implications that fatigue has for 24/7 teaming with autonomous systems and AI

Prof Siobhan Banks, Director, Behaviour-Brain-Body Research Centre, University of South Australia
Hélène Lechene, Data Scientist, Naval Group Pacific

14:40 Advancing Australia’s Information Warfare capability: The Power of Culture

  • Misinformation and disinformation as a global security risk
  • The role of social influence in grey zone conflict
  • Information campaign lessons from the Ukraine conflict
  • Emerging technologies and the future of Information Warfare

Dr Damien Spry, Senior Researcher, DSTG
Prof Emma Thomas, Matthew Flinders Professor of Psychology, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University
LTCOL Sharon Mascall-Dare OAM PhD, Cognitive and Information Warfare Directorate, Australian Defence Force
Moderated by Assoc Prof Brad West, University of South Australia

15:10 Networking and Afternoon tea break

15:40 Case study: High Frequency Radar Technology

  • Developing world-leading capability in HF systems and Over The Horizon Radar (OTHR)
  • A new era of collaboration with industry
  • Improving aircraft detention sensitivity

Dr Sylvie Perreau, Chief, Sensors and Effectors Division, Defence Science and Technology Group

16:00 The role of robotics and autonomous systems can play in defence innovation

Distinguished Prof Saeid Nahavandi, Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief of Defence Innovation, Swinburne University of Technology

16:20 Panel: Advancements in the deployment of AI in Defence Capability

Dr Mel McDowall, Director, Defence Artificial Intelligence Research Network
Dr Robert Hunjet, Associate Professor, Program Leader – Australian Defence Science and Universities Network, Defence Science and Technology Group
Ben Schultz, Head of AI/ML & Head of Enterprise, Aurizn
Dr Shelda Sajeev, Program Manager Cyber & AI, DEWC Services
Moderated by Travis Shueard, Senior Associate, Piper Alderman

17:00 Networking drinks

Defence Artificial Intelligence and Industry Symposium


Thursday, 29th August 2024
InterContinental Adelaide
North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000

Enhancing AI capabilities is crucial for the Defence sector. Achieving decision superiority, making decisions fasters and with higher degrees of accuracy, will increasingly benefit from advancements in sovereign AI capabilities. These advancements will enable Defence to manage extensive quantities of data in complex operational environments, offering significant data-driven performance advantages to the Australian Defence Force.

DAIRNet is pleased to be hosting the Defence AI and Industry Symposium, as part of the ADM South Australian Defence Summit. The Symposium is a forum for the exchange between the Australian Defence and AI communities. Join us to explore the impacts of AI on cyber security, cognitive and decision systems, information warfare, space, and technology. Following a keynote and panel discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with experts through the analysis of case studies in interactive small working groups.

The Defence AI and Industry Symposium is an exciting opportunity for Defence, industry and researchers to come together and explore priorities, opportunities, and commonalities.

DAIRNet is an initiative of the Department of Defence and is managed in partnership with the University of South Australia. To learn more, visit www.dairnet.com.au

PARTNERS

Symposium Program

8:30 – 9:00 Registration opens

9:00 – 9:45 Welcome and introduction
Dr Mel McDowall, Director of DAIRNet
Dr Ralph Gailis, Specialist Science Advisor, Artificial Intelligence, DSTG

Keynote
Mr Darren Webb, Group Leader Cyber Autonomy Technologies, Cyber Operations Branch, Information Sciences Division, DSTG
“AI and Cyber Security Advances in South Australia”

9:45 – 11:00 Panel session
Facilitator: Associate Professor Belinda Chiera, Deputy Director Industrial AI Research Centre, UniSA
Dr Susan Cockshell, Group Leader Cognitive and Decision Systems, DSTG
Dr David Crone, Deputy Leader Cognitive and Information Warfare, DSTG
Mr Peter Kerr, Defence and National Security Coordinator, SmartSat CRC
Wing Commander Andrew McCarron, Commanding Officer 462 Squadron, Joint Capabilities Group, Department of Defence
Dr Dave Ormrod, Industry Fellow and Associate Professor of Cyber Security at UniSA and the CTO and co-founder of Cygence

11:00 – 11:30 Morning tea break

11:30 – 12:55 Speed networking
Case studies in working groups

12:55 – 13:00 Closing remarks

Pricing

  • *Department of Defence/ADF attend for free. Please register for the ADF/Dept Defence pass by emailing [email protected] and ensure you use your business email address.
  • The SME rate applies to companies with fewer than 200 employees and are not part of a larger group/ parent company
  • Local SME rate applies to South Australian registered organisations employing fewer than 50 people who aren’t part of a larger group/ parent company

 

Packages Full Rate
Industry
SA Defence Summit $1,595 + GST
Dairnet AI Symposium $695 + GST
SME/ Academia/ Govt
SA Defence Summit $1,195 + GST
Dairnet AI Symposium $495 + GST
Local SME
SA Defence Summit $795 + GST
Dairnet AI Symposium $395 + GST
BOOK NOW

Venue

Adelaide Convention Centre
North Terrace
Adelaide SA 5000

Book accommodation with HotelMaps
To access the best available rate, book here.

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To read more on our latest sustainability reports and Faster Forward initiatives – click here.

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