Redefining Security: Navigating the Future of AI, Robotics & Autonomous Systems
November 11 - 12, 2025
| UCX, Canberra University
Tuesday, 11th November | Conference Day One
Day One | Secure Australia
8:15 am - 8:55 am
Morning Registration and Networking
8:50 am - 9:00 am
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Mel McDowall -
Director,
DAIRNet
9:00 am - 9:30 am
Shaping Australia’s Defence with AI
Mike Moroney -
Executive Director Defence AI Centre,
Australian Department of Defence
9:30 am - 10:00 am
Panel Discussion | Smart Scale: Delivering Affordable Mass with Autonomous Systems
Glen Schafer -
Chief Executive Officer,
Trusted Autonomous Systems
Professor Ian Langford - Executive Director, S&D PLuS
Mr. Matt Osler - Senior Director – Maritime,, Helsing
Mel McDowall - Director, DAIRNet
- Assessing vulnerabilities in Australia’s northern approaches and critical infrastructure.
- The proven capacity of AI-enabled capabilities and how to move beyond pilots to integrated, enduring solutions.
- Using autonomous systems to achieve scale, redundancy, and persistent presence without unsustainable cost.Designing human–machine systems where humans remain central but are enabled by AI to act faster and with greater effect.
- Balancing international partnerships with sovereign control over mission-critical systems and decision logic.
- Where Australia should focus—doctrine, procurement, or partnerships—to accelerate real-world AI capability in the next 2–3 years.
10:00 am - 10:15 am
Morning Speed Networking
Kickstart your day with fast-paced, one-on-one interactions. Connect with key industry leaders, share insights, and expand your professional network in this energetic, structured networking session.
10:15 am - 10:45 am
Morning Break and Networking
10:45 am - 11:15 am
Reducing Regulatory Barriers to Integrating and Scaling Emerging Tech Faster and Safely
Emily Hall -
Assistant Secretary of Defence Export Control,
Australian Department of Defence
• Identify key regulatory hurdles slowing tech adoption.
• Explore strategies to fast-track safe integration and scaling.
• Outline collaboration models to enable faster innovation.
11:15 am - 12:00 pm
Panel Discussion – Barriers to Entry for Emerging Technology
Lieutenant Colonel Adam Hepworth -
Director Robotics & Autonomous Systems,
Australian Army
Emily Clarke - Director AI Strategy, Policy and Engagement, Defence AI Centre (DAIC)
Hing-Wah Kwok - Group Leader Digital and AI Systems, Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG)
Mel McDowall - Director, DAIRNet
Adam Haskard - Founder and Principal Consultant, Blueryde
• Capability Development at Pace: How do different sectors balance innovation with procurement, regulation, and integration timelines?
• Operational Interoperability: How can military and civilian agencies ensure autonomous systems work seamlessly across domains and jurisdictions?
• Data, Trust & Decision-Making: How do we manage data flow and decision-making in environments where AI plays a critical operational role?
• Beyond Silos: Aligning Defence, Law Enforcement and Academia in the Robotics Era
Hing-Wah Kwok
Group Leader Digital and AI SystemsDefence Science and Technology Group (DSTG)
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Lunch and Networking
1:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Next-Gen Airpower: Accelerating Combat Advantage through AI and Autonomy
Air Commodore Angus Porter Porter -
Director General Air Combat Capability,
Royal Australian Air Force
- Leveraging AI and autonomy to expand the lethality, survivability, and mission flexibility of fifth- and sixth-gen aircraft like the F-35.
- Operational integration of autonomous wingmen to support manned platforms, force-multiply effect, and expand tactical reach.
- Applying AI-enabled tools for real-time mission planning, threat prioritisation, and rapid sensor-to-shooter workflows.
Air Commodore Angus Porter Porter
Director General Air Combat CapabilityRoyal Australian Air Force
1:30 pm - 2:00 pm
AI-Driven Decision-Making, Automation, and Swarm Tactics for Enhancing UAS Capabilities
Brigadier James Davis -
Director-General Future Land Warfare,
Australian Army
- Leveraging AI for Faster, Smarter UAS Decision Cycles.
- Automation in UAS Lifecycle: From Launch to Recovery.
- Swarm Tactics and Distributed UAS Coordination.
2:00 pm - 2:45 pm
Human-Machine Teaming in Combat
Air Commodore Angus Porter Porter -
Director General Air Combat Capability,
Royal Australian Air Force
Dr Anthony Szabo - Chief Technology Officer Platforms., Australian Department of Defence
Brigadier James Davis - Director-General Future Land Warfare, Australian Army
Mel McDowall - Director, DAIRNet
- Balance between autonomy and human oversight.
- Ethical and doctrinal implications of semi-autonomous weapon systems.
- Training soldiers to work with intelligent machines.
Air Commodore Angus Porter Porter
Director General Air Combat CapabilityRoyal Australian Air Force
2:45 pm - 3:15 pm
Afternoon Break and Networking
3:15 pm - 4:00 pm
Panel Discussion | Navigating Supply Chain Risk in a Volatile World
Ms. Trace Gosling -
Regional Vice President, APAC,
Dataminr
Sascha Dov Bachmann - Professor in Law at Canberra Law School, University of Canberra
Mike Moroney - Executive Director Defence AI Centre, Australian Department of Defence
Mel McDowall - Director, DAIRNet
- Critical Vulnerabilities: Risks in sensors, AI, and hardware for defence systems.
- Global Disruptions: Lessons from COVID, chip shortages, and geopolitical tensions.
- Cross-Sector Alerts: Real-time intelligence for energy, transport, law enforcement, and defence.
- Battlefield Innovation: Trojan drones in Ukraine and the evolving threat to Russian infrastructure
- Resilience & Partnerships: Aligning policy, collaboration, and sovereign control.
