Five must-see sessions at the 2026 AI Leadership Summit

Now in its fourth year, the AI Leadership Summit brings together some of the brightest minds in business, government, academia and technology to discuss how AI is reshaping our economy and society. 

As Executive Director of the National AI Centre, it's one of the events I look forward to most each year. It’s an opportunity to hear from leading thinkers and practitioners from Australia and around the world and, importantly, it sparks the conversations and connections that help turn AI ambition into action. 

With a program exploring everything from productivity and governance to skills, infrastructure and Australia's AI future, this year's summit promises to be our most thought-provoking yet. We’ve even got Something for Kate’s Paul Dempsey taking the stage for a musical performance and reflections on AI in creative industries. 

There will also be some groundbreaking research on show in the summit’s exhibition, including Good Things Australia and Swinburne University’s work on AI literacy in Australia, and a look at how not-for-profits are adopting AI by Infoxchange.

So here are 5 sessions from the summit I'm especially excited to check out, and why I think they're worth coming along to this year’s event. This is just a small taste of what’s on offer, so be sure to check out the full agenda and secure your tickets. 

I hope to see you there!

AI is changing more than the tasks we perform. It's reshaping how work is organised, how teams collaborate and the skills people need to thrive. 

This panel brings together leaders from industry, academia, workforce planning and organised labour to tackle one of the biggest questions facing Australia: how do we redesign work to get the best from both people and AI? 

With autonomous AI agents moving from theory into practice, I'm looking forward to a thoughtful discussion about the opportunities, challenges and choices that will shape the future workforce.

Australia has no shortage of innovative AI founders, but turning a great idea into a globally competitive business takes more than technical brilliance. 

This interactive session puts emerging AI start-ups and SMEs in the spotlight as they pitch their ideas to a panel of leaders with real investment and procurement experience. Expect sharp questions, bold ideas and plenty of practical insights into what it takes to scale AI innovation in Australia. 

If you're interested in entrepreneurship, commercialisation or discovering the next generation of Australian AI success stories, this session is not to be missed.

AI agents are quickly becoming one of the most talked-about developments in the AI landscape. As organisations begin experimenting with systems that can take action and make decisions with increasing autonomy, questions around governance, safety and accountability become even more important. 

This session focuses on the practical lessons organisations can apply today, drawing on the experience of governance experts and the National AI Centre's own work in promoting responsible adoption. 

I'm particularly interested to hear how leaders are balancing innovation with risk management as agentic AI capabilities continue to evolve.

The long-term success of AI will depend on public trust. People need confidence that AI systems are safe, accountable and genuinely beneficial to their lives and communities. 

This panel explores some of the most important societal questions surrounding AI adoption, from safety and inclusion to governance and shared prosperity. With leading voices from research, industry and government on stage, including Dr Kate Conroy from Australia’s AI Safety Institute, I expect a fascinating conversation about what it will take to build an AI future that Australians can trust and support.

The first day of the summit closes with a session that looks to the future through the eyes of a new generation of innovators. Speakers Annie Liao and Dr Ariella Heffernan-Marks have already built impressive companies and communities at the forefront of technology, and their perspectives offer a glimpse of what's possible in the years ahead. 

I'm looking forward to hearing how they see AI shaping work, education, healthcare and creativity, and what responsibilities today's leaders have in creating opportunities for future generations. It's an inspiring way to end a day focused on Australia's AI future.

The AI Leadership Summit 2026 will be held from 27-28 October at the International Convention Centre in Sydney. It is hosted by CEDA in partnership with the National AI Centre. 

Day one will feature the sessions outlined above, plus many more exploring the future of AI with leaders from across Australia and the world. 

Day two features a curated list of AI Explorer Workshops, providing in-depth explorations of a range of topics (ticketed separately).