• 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 Force Exploration
Australian Department of Defence

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• 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.

Get hands-on with the latest AI, autonomous systems, and defence technologies. Experience live demos, explore real-world applications, and see innovation in action.

·        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.

Professor Muhammad Usman

Head of Quantum Systems
CSIRO

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Lieutenant Colonel Marcus Doherty

SO1 Quantum Technologies
Australian Army

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·        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 Flora Salim

Computer Science and Engineering
University of New South Wales

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Professor Debi Ashenden

Director of the Institute for Cyber Security
University New South Wales

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·        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.

Mr. Jamie Freestone

Research Fellow
Australian Army Research Centre

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• 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.