Redefining Security: Navigating the Future of AI, Robotics & Autonomous Systems
November 11 - 12, 2025
| UCX, Canberra University
Wednesday, 12th November | Conference Day Two
Day Two | Secure Australia
9:30 am - 10:00 am
Exploring the Edge: AI, Autonomy, and the Future Force Landscape
Commodore Michael Turner -
Director General Maritime Integrated Capabilities.,
Australian Department of Defence
- Harnessing autonomous swarms, unmanned ISR, and persistent sensors to reshape force structure and mission profiles.
- Using digital twins, wargaming, and advanced modelling to test and iterate RASAI-driven operational concepts before investment.
- Building AI-enabled force options that are joint by design, modular, and adaptive to evolving threat environments.
Commodore Michael Turner
Director General Maritime Integrated Capabilities.Australian Department of Defence
10:00 am - 10:30 am
Next-Gen Airpower: Accelerating Combat Advantage through AI and Autonomy
- 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.
10:30 am - 11:00 am
Demo Drive
Get hands-on with the latest AI, autonomous systems, and defence technologies. Experience live demos, explore real-world applications, and see innovation in action.
11:00 am - 11:30 am
Morning Break and Networking
11:30 am - 12:00 pm
Quantum-Enabled Autonomy: Unlocking the Next Frontier in AI and Robotics
Professor Muhammad Usman -
Head of Quantum Systems,
CSIRO
12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
Panel Discussion | How Quantum Computing Will Revolutionise RASAI
Professor Muhammad Usman -
Head of Quantum Systems,
CSIRO
Lieutenant Colonel Marcus Doherty - SO1 Quantum Technologies, Australian Army
Dr David Simpson - Associate Professor, Physical Biosciences, University of Melbourne
Dr. James Rabeau - CEO, Deteqt
· Exploring how quantum algorithms could exponentially enhance real-time data processing and decision-making in robotics and autonomous systems — from navigation to threat detection.
· Discussing the role of quantum computing in training more efficient, adaptive AI models for defence applications, especially in complex environments where classical systems fall short.
· Examining how quantum technologies can bolster the cyber resilience and secure communication networks essential for deploying trusted, autonomous platforms at scale.
12:45 pm - 2:00 pm
Lunch Break and Networking
2:00 pm - 2:45 pm
Panel Discussion | Protecting Intelligent Systems from Cyber Threats
Professor Flora Salim -
Computer Science and Engineering,
University of New South Wales
Professor Debi Ashenden - Director of the Institute for Cyber Security, University New South Wales
· How can we secure the complex web of interconnected sensors, AI systems, and cloud platforms that underpin autonomous technologies against increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks?
· What steps can organizations take to mitigate supply chain risks, especially when critical RAS components are sourced from third-party vendors with varying levels of cybersecurity maturity?
· How do we protect the integrity of training and operational data used by AI-driven autonomous systems from manipulation or poisoning by cyber adversaries?
· Where should we draw the line between cybersecurity and operational continuity—especially in time-sensitive environments like healthcare, energy, or defence?
· As autonomous systems proliferate, how must cybersecurity strategies evolve to defend against emerging threat vectors and adaptive adversaries?
Professor Debi Ashenden
Director of the Institute for Cyber SecurityUniversity New South Wales
2:45 pm - 3:15 pm
Afternoon Tea and Networking
3:15 pm - 4:00 pm
Deceptive Interfaces: Risks of LLMs in Military AI Integration
Mr. Jamie Freestone -
Research Fellow,
Australian Army Research Centre
· How natural language interfaces in LLMs can mislead operators and commanders, posing risks in fast-paced, high-stakes defence environments.
· Vulnerabilities in autonomous decision-making pipelines when LLMs are integrated into robotics and command-and-control systems.
· Frameworks for responsibly deploying LLMs in line with ethical, operational, and national security imperatives.
4:00 pm - 4:45 pm
Ethical AI & Regulatory Frameworks
- The ethical considerations surrounding the use of AI in defence and security operations.
- The creation of international and domestic regulatory frameworks to govern the use of AI and autonomous systems in military applications.
- The role of export controls and governance in ensuring responsible AI development.
