AI Australia Podcast

• Don't build AI into broken processes: Unlocking business potential with Process Mining

  In this episode, we chat with Professor Wil van der Aalst, the "Godfather of Process Mining." He's the brains behind a multi-billion dollar industry that started 25 years ago in his quest to understand what organisations are actually doing, not just what they think they're doing. Wil dives into why he believes companies need to use process mining to get their houses in order before throwing AI at their problems. Using real-world examples—from streamlining a sales process to solving flight delays at an airport—he shows how this tech uncovers hidden inefficiencies and bottlenecks. He also shares his thoughts on why Australia is slower at adopting process mining, even with great research happening in local universities. A key takeaway? Transparency is crucial, but it requires top-down support to overcome resistance to change.

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• The Human Touch: Navigating AI in Finance and Beyond

  In this episode, May Lam, Chief Information Officer at Australian Payments Plus, shares her incredible journey from a software engineer tackling Y2K bugs to a leading voice in payments and AI. Drawing on her extensive experience across banking, FinTech, and the public sector, May unpacks the transformative power of AI in the financial industry. She outlines three key pillars of opportunity: the "internet of me" for hyper-personalisation, the "economy of we" for shared growth, and the "power of now" for instant, trustworthy services. May also discusses the crucial need for robust AI guardrails, emphasising the importance of data governance, holistic ethical frameworks, and a national strategy to navigate the risks. She provides insights on how AI is projected to impact the Australian economy, predicting a significant shift in the job market by 2030. Highlighting the importance of fostering critical thinking and self-confidence in the next generation, she offers a compelling vision for how we can use AI as a companion and a tool to enhance human capabilities, rather than replace them.

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• Special: Live from the Databricks Data and AI Summit 2025 from San Francisco

  Highlights from Databricks Data and AI Summit 2025   In this special episode of the AI Australia podcast, Kathryn Collier and Emma Bromet report live from the Databricks Data and AI Summit 2025 in San Francisco. The summit which attracts 22,000 attendees to the city and 65,000 in total making it one of the largest Data and AI conferences globally.  The pervasive theme this year was “Data Intelligence” which can be distilled to the democratisation of data and AI – a clear strategic move to bridge the gap between business needs and the complex reality of end-to-end development of AI solutions. We cover off highlights and insights from all the key accouncements including Databricks Free Edition, Lake Base, Databricks Apps, and Agent Bricks, all focused on democratizing data and AI.    Featuring interviews with Simon Johnson, AI Director for APAC at Databricks, and David Schneeberger, Principal Engineer at Mantel who provide in-depth perspectives on these innovations and their implications for the future of Data and AI.

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• How AI is Reshaping Customer Expectations & Driving Business Value with Sandy Iyer

  How AI is Reshaping Customer Expectations & Driving Business Value with Sandy Iyer (General Manager, Data Science at Sportsbet) Join your hosts Emma Bromet and Kathryn Collier as they chat with Sandy Iyer, a leading data and analytics executive, currently General Manager of Data Science at Sportsbet. With a career spanning energy retail, financial services, and wagering, Sandy brings a wealth of experience to the conversation. In this insightful episode, Sandy discusses: The Evolving Customer Landscape: How AI has profoundly shifted customer expectations, moving beyond just quality to demand instant gratification, personalised experiences, and ethical brand practices. Practical AI for Business Value: Discover compelling examples of AI in action, from L'Oréal's virtual makeup try-ons to advanced sports analytics. Measuring AI's Impact: Sandy shares a unique five-dimensional framework for evaluating the effectiveness of AI and machine learning models, ensuring they deliver real business value and are trustworthy. Cutting Through the Hype: Learn best practices for businesses to maximise AI ROI, including the importance of an "AI-enabled business strategy" over a standalone "AI strategy," and how to move effectively from Proof of Concept (POC) to Proof of Value (POV) and production. Building Customer-Facing AI: Sandy offers critical advice for developing successful AI products, emphasising the importance of product-market fit, ROI pragmatism, and continuous experimentation. Tune in to gain valuable insights from one of Australia's top analytics leaders and understand how to navigate the rapidly evolving AI revolution.

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• Venture Capital in AI with Danielle Haj-Moussa and Roo Harris (Part 2)

  Because we loved talking to Roo and Danielle SO much in our last episode, we are delighted to bring you another installment of that conversation. In this episode of the A.I. Australia podcast, Kobi and Nat host Roo Harris from Scale Investors and Danielle Haj-Moussa from Main Sequence Ventures to continue our discussion on responsible AI investment in startups.   We explore critical topics such as the importance of responsible AI practices, the challenges startups face in integrating AI, and the role of VCs in setting ethical standards.   The conversation also covers the significance of early-stage AI due diligence, the benefits of explaining AI technologies accurately, and how embracing ESG (environmental, social, and governance) principles can add value.   Key issues such as AI's environmental impact, transparency, and the role of regulation in AI development are also discussed.   Links: Danielle Haj-Moussa (Main Sequence Ventures) Roo Harris Scale Investors  

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