Redefining Security: Navigating the Future of AI, Robotics & Autonomous Systems
November 11 - 12, 2025
| Ann Harding Conference Centre, University of Canberra, ACT
Tuesday, 11th November | Conference Day One
Day One | Secure Australia
8:20 am - 8:30 am
Chair’s Opening Remarks
8:30 am - 9:00 am
Shaping Australia’s Defence with AI
Dr. Paul Robards -
Chief Data Integration Officer,
Department of Defence
9:00 am - 9:45 am
Panel Discussion | Smart Scale: Delivering Affordable Mass with Autonomous Systems
Mr. Glen Schafer -
Chief Executive Officer,
Trusted Autonomous Systems
Professor Scott Tyo - Chief Platforms, Defence Science and Technology Group
Mr. Craig Hamilton - Assistant Secretary Technology and Security, Department of Defence
- What does it take to integrate AI meaningfully—not just as isolated pilots, but as capability that’s trusted, deployed, and enduring?
- How can autonomous and AI-enabled systems be used to achieve scale, redundancy, and presence—without unsustainable cost?
- How do we design systems where humans remain central, but are enabled by AI to act faster, better, and with greater effect?
- How do we balance global partnerships with sovereign control over mission-critical systems and decision logic?
- Where should Australia focus its energy—doctrine, procurement models, or partnerships—to accelerate real-world AI capability in the next 2–3 years?
9:45 am - 10:00 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.
10:00 am - 10:30 am
Morning Break and Networking
10:30 am - 11:00 am
Reducing Regulatory Barriers to Integrating and Scaling Emerging Tech Faster and Safely
• Identify key regulatory hurdles slowing tech adoption.
• Explore strategies to fast-track safe integration and scaling.
• Outline collaboration models to enable faster innovation.
11:00 am - 11:45 am
Panel Discussion – Barriers to Entry for Emerging Technology
Lieutenant Colonel Adam Hepworth -
Director Robotics & Autonomous Systems,
Australian Army
Wing Commander Mike Moroney - Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Lead Jericho Disruptive Innovation, Royal Australian Air Force
Mel McDowall - Director, DAIRNet
• 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
Wing Commander Mike Moroney
Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Lead Jericho Disruptive InnovationRoyal Australian Air Force
11:45 am - 12:45 pm
Lunch and Networking
12:45 pm - 1:15 pm
Securing Supply Chains for Emerging Technologies
1:15 pm - 2:00 pm
Panel Discussion | Securing the Future of RASAI: Navigating Supply Chain Risk in a Volatile World
Ms. Tracey Gosling -
Regional Vice President, APAC,
Dataminr
Mr. Michael Horrocks - Deputy Project Manager, U.S Army
- As RASAI systems increasingly rely on complex global supply chains—spanning sensors, software, and compute hardware—what are the most critical vulnerabilities facing the sector today?
- What lessons can the RASAI sector draw from recent global disruptions—like COVID-19, semiconductor shortages, or conflicts in key manufacturing regions—to build more resilient and responsive supply chains?
- With increased convergence of cyber-physical systems in RASAI, how do organisations stay ahead of emerging threats that target both data and hardware across the supply chain
- What role should real-time intelligence,
2:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Afternoon Break and Networking
2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
AI-Driven Decision-Making, Automation, and Swarm Tactics for Enhancing UAS Capabilities
Mr. Michael Horrocks -
Deputy Project Manager,
U.S Army
- Leveraging AI for Faster, Smarter UAS Decision Cycles.
- Automation in UAS Lifecycle: From Launch to Recovery.
- Swarm Tactics and Distributed UAS Coordination.
3:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Accelerating the Fight: Data, Decision, and the Dawn of Collaborative Autonomy
Lieutenant Colonel Robbie Hicks -
SO1 Robotics & Autonomous Systems,
British Army
- The integration of RAS systems to shorten the Sense – Decide – Effect timeline.
- The importance of the unencumbered movement of data.
- Lessons from ESTONIA – Networked RAS in the hands of the user.
- And the road to collaborative autonomy.
3:30 pm - 4:15 pm
Human-Machine Teaming in Combat and Support Roles
Lieutenant Colonel Robbie Hicks -
SO1 Robotics & Autonomous Systems,
British Army
Marc Vetter - Technical Advisor, USINDOPACOM/J85, United States Navy
Air Commodore Arthur Porter - Director General Air Combat Capability, Royal Australian Air Force
- Balance between autonomy and human oversight.
- Ethical and doctrinal implications of semi-autonomous weapon systems.
- Training soldiers to work with intelligent machines.
Air Commodore Arthur Porter
Director General Air Combat CapabilityRoyal Australian Air Force
