ACS WA Tech Summit: Navigating the Digital Frontier
The ACS WA State Summit attracts a diverse audience of 120+ tech and ICT professionals eager to enhance their expertise, make meaningful connections and expand their network. Join us in helping navigate the digital frontier!
Member $80.00
Member-Concessional $50.00
Non-Member $150.00
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About this event
The ACS WA Tech Summit is the state’s premier gathering of technology and ICT professionals, bringing together industry leaders, innovators and emerging talent. Through a dynamic program of keynotes, panels and interactive sessions, the summit will explore how organisations are navigating the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
From leading AI transformation in practice and leveraging data to drive better outcomes, to building future-ready workforces, addressing ethical challenges, and strengthening cyber resilience, the summit offers a comprehensive view of the trends shaping the future of technology.
Join us to gain practical insights, exchange ideas, and connect with peers as we collectively navigate the opportunities and complexities of the digital frontier.
Event Program
9:00AM - Registration and Networking
9:45 AM – Welcome & Opening Address
Speakers: Hon. Dr Parwinder Kaur MLC & Beau Tydd (ACS President)
10:00 AM – Keynote Address
(Rooms 222 & 223)
The Messy Middle: Leading AI Transformation in Practice
Presented by Rebecca Ostergaard – Chief Digital Officer, CSIRO
Rebecca Ostergaard shares a candid, real-time perspective on leading AI transformation within CSIRO. Rather than a polished retrospective, this keynote offers insights from the middle of the journey.
Key themes include:
- Keeping pace with rapidly evolving technology
- Managing risk without stifling innovation
- Securing investment with hard-to-quantify ROI
- Aligning leadership and navigating organisational dynamics
10:45 AM – Morning Tea & Intern Poster Showcase
11:15 AM – Concurrent Session 1
Stream 1 (Room 230)
Using Data & AI to Improve Outcomes
Presented by Paul Hunt – Head of Data & AI, Motoring Services Group
This session explores how organisations can leverage data and AI to improve decision-making and outcomes, from establishing a single source of truth for analytics to implementing a leader-led AI rollout. It will examine the balance between horizontal AI for productivity and vertical AI for process automation with human oversight, alongside the critical role of data governance frameworks and guardrails in enabling responsible and scalable adoption.
Stream 2 (Rooms 222 & 223)
Future Skills: Ethics and AI Discussion Panel
Facilitator: Dr Rohini Balapumi
Panellists:
- Mike Kovacevic – CIO, Catholic Education WA
- Anthony Langlois – Dean of Applied Ethics, Curtin University
- Patrick Dunlop – Future of Work Institute, Curtin University
As generative AI rapidly reshapes how candidates apply for jobs, organisations are facing a new and complex challenge: how to embrace innovation without compromising the integrity of recruitment and selection processes. This panel brings together perspectives from ethics, workforce transformation, and organisational psychology to explore the evolving role of AI in hiring. Focusing on real-world applications, the discussion will unpack how candidates are using AI, where risks of misuse are emerging, and what employers should be doing to respond. Attendees will gain practical insights into what to encourage, what to guard against, and how to strike the right balance between protecting recruitment processes and maintaining a fair, positive candidate experience. Featuring emerging data and a new framework for employer intervention, this session offers a grounded, forward-looking view of AI’s impact on the future of talent assessment.
Stream 3 (Room 226)
Workforce Capability in an AI-Enabled Industry
Presented by Scott Marshall – Head of Capability, Woodside
This interactive session will explore how organisations can build a future-ready workforce in an AI-enabled industry. Focusing on the balance between capacity and capability, the session will unpack practical strategies for sourcing talent through “build, borrow, and buy” approaches, while also strengthening internal capability through upskilling. Particular emphasis will be placed on the growing importance of professional and leadership skills for technical staff, supported by insights from a global leadership development program spanning graduates to senior professionals. Participants will take part in a facilitated discussion, working in groups to examine real-world challenges around organisational capacity, capability uplift, and managing cognitive load during periods of rapid change. This session is designed to be highly engaging, encouraging shared insights and practical takeaways to help leaders and teams navigate workforce transformation in the age of AI.
12:00 PM – Lunch & Networking
1:00 PM – Concurrent Session 2
Stream 1 (Room 230)
AI Driven Innovation at Scale: Industry Lessons on turning Integrated Systems into competitive advantage
Presented by May Leung - Partner | Consulting, KPMG
This session explores emerging data and AI trends shaping the mining and utilities sectors, and what they mean for organisations looking to translate insight into real-world impact. Drawing on industry experience and practical, de-identified case studies, it will highlight key lessons learned from successful (and challenging) data and AI initiatives. Attendees will gain valuable takeaways on common pitfalls, critical success factors, and strategic considerations to inform their own rollout plans, helping IT leaders apply proven approaches from these complex, asset-intensive industries.
Stream 2 (Rooms 222 & 223)
How Teams Deliver Changes with Confidence Without Breaking Trust
Presented by Glenn Williams – Software Development Leader, Lotterywest
This session explores how digital teams can deliver regular change while maintaining security, quality, and stakeholder confidence. Using a practical Secure SDLC approach, it shows how lightweight guardrails and verification practices make delivery predictable, repeatable, and audit ready without slowing teams down.
Stream 3 (Room 226)
The REST Framework: Sustainable High Performance in Tech
Presented by Dinda Timperon – Head of Cyber Security Engineering, Insignia Financial Ltd
This session introduces the REST Framework, a practical model to help professionals sustain focus, resilience, and innovation in high-demand environments.
2:00 PM – Concurrent Session 3
Stream 1 (Room 230)
Navigating the Innovation Curve
Presented by Tracy Deveugle-Fink – Head of Innovation, APM Group
Successfully navigating the innovation curve requires more than adopting new technologies, it demands a clear strategy, strong collaboration, and a focus on real business value. This session explores a practical approach to identifying and leveraging innovation opportunities, using the innovation curve to guide effective AI development and deployment.
Stream 2 (Rooms 222 & 223)
Cyber Security Discussion Panel
Facilitator: Fred Young – National Security Operations Manager, Motorola Solutions Australia Pty Ltd
Panellists:
- Tom Cleary – CISO, WA Police
- Paul Haskell-Dowland – Professor of Cyber Security Practice, Edith Cowan University
- Adam Bennett – CIO, Red Piranha
- Robbie Whittome - Cyber Security Manager, Serco Fiona Stanley Hospital
2:45 PM – Afternoon Tea & Intern Poster Showcase
3:15 PM – Locknote Address
(Rooms 222 & 223)
Presented by Alex Jenkins – Director - WA Data Science Innovation Hub
4:00 PM – Closing Remarks
(Rooms 222 & 223)
4:15 PM – Conference Close
LOCATION
Centre for Aboriginal Studies (Building 211) at Curtin University, Bentley.
See map: https://link.mazemap.com/1s9jagFs
CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST - INTERN POSTER SHOWCASE PRESENTATION
Be a part of the event program – Showcase your achievements
Expressions of Interest are sought by current or past interns in the ACS Foundation WIL Intern Program for poster presentations at the ACS WA 2026 Tech Summit.
PLEASE NOTE:
To confirm attendance and CPD point allocation, on arrival at registration, please make sure to have your event confirmation e-mail with QR code ready to present where your attendance will be recorded. This can be provided via your phone or a printed copy.
** If you are not a current ACS member, you will be asked to 'create an account'. Your details will be used for registration processes only. If you experience technical issues, please contact the WA Branch by e-mail acs.wa@acs.org.au **
Speakers
Hon Dr Parwinder Kaur is an award-winning scientist, advocate, and Member of Parliament, deeply committed to advancing science, community, and inclusive leadership. Her journey from the lab bench to the Western Australian Legislative Council—as a first-generation migrant, mother, and woman of colour—reflects her passion for innovation and transformative change. Elected in May 2025 as a Member of the Legislative Council for the Australian Labor Party, she brings a powerful voice for progress and inclusion.
Dr Kaur has received numerous accolades for her sustained contributions to science. Drawing on her expertise in biotechnology, she connects people with their environments in new and meaningful ways. Recognised with prestigious honours—including the Australian Academy of Sciences’ Science and Innovation Award (2013), Microsoft’s AI for Earth Award (2019), and induction into the Western Australia Women’s Hall of Fame (2023)—she champions diversity in STEM and evidence-based policy. She empowers people from all walks of life and age groups to see that individuals can drive change. As a Member of Parliament, professor of science, and mother, Dr Kaur stands as an inspiring role model for the next generation of diverse scientists to pursue their passion for discovery, translation, and public service.
In her role as Deputy Chair of Committees, member of the Standing Committee on Environment and Public Affairs, and Member of the National Policy Forum of the Australian Labor Party, she continues to demonstrate her belief that science and service together can create a sustainable, equitable future for all.
She serves on the Board of the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, guiding digital innovation at one of Western Australia’s leading medical research centres. Rebecca is also a Board Member of the Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre, a Tier-1 national facility supporting scientific discovery and national research infrastructure.
Recognised for leading enterprise-wide digital transformation, Rebecca has recently led the development of CSIRO's first data, digital and AI strategy . Her leadership is inclusive and pragmatic, grounded in building trust, fostering high-performing cultures and aligning complex organisations to deliver long-term value.
She holds an MBA from Curtin University, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and has completed executive education at Wharton and Oxford’s Saïd Business School.
Professor Anthony J. Langlois is the Stan Perron Dean of Applied Ethics in the Faculty of Business & Law at Curtin University. Langlois is a distinguished specialist on Human Rights and International Ethics, with over 25 years of experience as an educator, author and public speaker. He has an international reputation for his human rights scholarship, published by presses such as Cambridge and Oxford, and in leading academic journals. Langlois is the founding director of the Curtin Centre for Applied Ethics, a new initiative with a mandate to generate ethical reflection in education and industry on the big issues shaping our future, with a particular focus on Sustainability, the Climate Emergency, and Digital Transformation.
She is the Head of Cyber Security Engineering at Insignia Financial, where she leads national security engineering capability across complex enterprise environments. Her career spans defence, engineering and executive leadership, where she has built and led high-performing teams responsible for protecting critical systems and infrastructure.
Dinda is also the founder of the Perth IT Leaders Network, a growing community that brings together senior technology leaders across Western Australia to share ideas, strengthen the industry, and support the next generation of leadership.
Through her work in high-pressure environments, Dinda became fascinated by a critical question: Why do so many high achievers burn out while pursuing success?
May focus bringing global expertise to Clients across industries, provide technology advisory and Enterprise systems and digital solutions to achieving Client’s business objectives, solving industry challenges and seizing opportunities.
May has experience spanning across industries such as mining, oil and gas, retail, financial services, government and public services, education, site facilities management, and geographies including UK, Americas, and Asia Pacific regions.
Scott is the Global Head of Organisational Capability and Talent at Woodside Energy, where he leads enterprise-wide strategy across workforce capability, talent, and leadership pipelines. His work focuses on aligning capability systems with business strategy, enabling the organisation to respond to shifting demand, technological change, and the accelerating impact of AI on work.
He is responsible for Woodside’s global talent and early career pathways, including the Australian Graduate Development Program and the expansion of early career programs in the United States, supporting the development of future capability across the organisation.
Scott began his career as an engineer with ExxonMobil in 2006 and joined Woodside in 2012. He has held a diverse range of roles across the value chain, including Operations, Engineering, Projects, Business Advisory, Cybersecurity, and Audit. This breadth of experience provides a practical, end-to-end perspective on how work is performed, and how capability and capacity can be optimised in complex, asset-intensive environments.
He is particularly focused on how organisations can move beyond traditional workforce models to adopt capability- and capacity-led approaches, leveraging data, insights, and AI to unlock performance and build sustainable competitive advantage.
Paul is the Chair of the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) Technical Committee 11 (TC11 - Security and Privacy Protection in Information Processing Systems); secretary to IFIP Working Group 11.1 (Information Security Management) and, a Fellow of the ACS (Certified Professional), Australian Information Security Association, BCS, and the Higher Education Academy. He is the author of over 100 papers in refereed international journals and conference proceedings and edited more than 30 books/proceedings.
He is an IT generalist with deep technical foundations spanning design, development, and production operations, complemented by strong communication and leadership skills. Glenn has worked across gaming, banking, health, and software startups in both the public and private sectors, and enjoys working with multidisciplinary teams to continuously improve how software is delivered.
Accumulating over twenty years of industry experience within network operations, security, and professional management, Adam has also served as a board-level advisor and member on a wide array of organisations and holds numerous industry association memberships.
Adam is a qualified Industry Specialist across several disciplines and holds certifications in Auditing and Cyber security, as well as qualifications in Big Data and Social Sciences, Computer Science and Information Security.
Adam is a prolific contributor to the IT and Developer industry. He is a professional presenter and regular lecturer on the topics of network security and encryption.
As an industry advocate since the late 1980’s, Adam actively participates within the cybersecurity community and has authored and contributed to multiple industry and research papers, professional blogs and podcasts.
With an extensive background in digital technologies, Alex is dedicated to advancing the use of AI across Australian business, academia, and the public sector. His work emphasises leveraging AI to enhance education and improve lives, driving innovation and practical applications in diverse sectors. Alex is committed to ensuring that Australia remains at the forefront of AI adoption, elevating WADSIH to a national thought-leader in AI and fostering collaboration to promote AI’s transformative potential for societal benefit. He is also known for his impactful TEDx talk, ‘An AI Tutor for Every Child’, highlighting the potential of AI in revolutionising Australia’s education system.
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