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
9:00 am - 9:20 am
Morning Registration and Networking
9:20 am - 9:30 am
Chair's Opening Remarks
Ms. Mel McDowall -
Director,
DAIRNet
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 - 10:15 am
Why we need Local Australia Capability to Advance Autonomy Adoption
Mr. Mark Palmer -
VP - Vision Systems,
Shield AI
- Build trust, safeguards and accountability in every step of autonomy
- Accelerate AI understanding by local rapid feedback cycles
- Understanding the security implications of operational autonomy
10:15 am - 10:30 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.
10:30 am - 11:00 am
Morning Break and Networking
11:00 am - 11:30 am
Quantum-Enabled Autonomy: Unlocking the Next Frontier in AI and Robotics
Professor Muhammad Usman -
Head of Quantum Systems,
CSIRO
- Faster, more complex AI processing.
- Ultra-precise sensing and navigation.
- Unbreakable communications.
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Panel Discussion | How Quantum Technologies Will Revolutionise RAS-AI
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. Ben Travaglione - Quantum Computing Discipline Leader, Defence Science and Technology Group
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.
Dr. Ben Travaglione
Quantum Computing Discipline LeaderDefence Science and Technology Group
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Lunch Break and Networking
1:30 pm - 2:15 pm
Panel Discussion | Ethical AI & Regulatory Frameworks
Professor Toby Walsh -
Chief Scientist,
UNSW AI Institute
Mr. Glen Schafer - Chief Executive Officer, Trusted Autonomous Systems
Ms. Mel McDowall - Director, DAIRNet
- 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.
2:15 pm - 3:00 pm
Panel Discussion | Protecting Intelligent Systems from Cyber Threats
Professor Flora Salim -
Computer Science and Engineering,
University of 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?
