A Big Dialogue: How Can Australia Maintain Sovereignty In The AI Age?

The Andrew N. Liveris Academy for Innovation and Leadership, in collaboration with Australian Dialogues, presents a Big Dialogue between experts with very different perspectives on the implications of AI for Australian sovereignty — in an open discussion in a congenial public setting, accessible to all.

Sovereignty has rested on control of things like territory, currency, information and industrial capacity. AI complicates all of these. The models set to shape health, education, defence and the economy are mostly trained overseas, run on infrastructure Australia doesn't own, under rules Australia didn't write. Incidents like an OpenAI AI agent's breach of Medicare systems in June, on the one hand, and regular data centre investment announcements on the other, compound a simultaneous sense of risk and opportunity.

So: Can Australia build, or afford, its own AI capability — and should it? Can it regulate systems designed and controlled offshore? What would be lost, or gained, by relying on the world's leading AI powers rather than competing to become one? What can a middle power realistically do anyway? What do we just need to accept? How do we make the most of the opportunities for jobs, investment and productivity? And, more generally, how do we turn AI risk and dependency into national advantage?

Not all of this can be covered in one night, but our expert panel will move this vital national discussion forward and all attendees will be better equipped to contribute to it in their own ways afterwards.

We are living in an age where most public discourse is politically charged and media feeds are individually tailored to produce personalised echo chambers free from conflicting viewpoints. Now more than ever, there is a need for constructive, respectful and open public discussions between people of different views. After all, "The aim of argument, or of discussion, should not be of victory, but progress." (J Joubert)

A Big Dialogue: How can Australia maintain sovereignty in the AI age? 5.30pm – 9pm, Mon 2 Nov, 2026, Princess Theatre, Woolloongabba QLD

Join curious fellow citizens for an enjoyable and enlightening evening – tickets from only $25, food included.

Please consider donating a ticket, or buying a premium ticket or a Convenor's Table to enable us to make the event as inclusive as possible.

The Big Dialogue format has been developed over the last six years to demonstrate that difficult, complex issues can still be discussed frankly, fearlessly and civilly, in a non-partisan way, in public, by people of goodwill, in good faith, in pursuit of truth, progress - and better policy and practical outcomes.

The aim of argument, or of discussion, should not be victory, but progress. Joseph Joubert

Big Dialogues are long-form public discussions between a small panel of knowledgeable speakers with very different perspectives, expertly moderated, in a congenial, catered environment - exploring differences, seeking common ground and possible agreement on solutions. They have consistently shown that such discussions are not only possible, but actually enlightening and enjoyable!

Past subjects addressed include the China-Australia relationship, climate change, democratic reform, pandemic management, energy transition, cost of living, housing, social media impacts/regulation and constitutional interpretation.

• Guests will be able to submit questions for the speakers by email before the event and by SMS during the dialogue 

• A limited number of people in the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions from the floor

• The table seating mode is congenial for social discussion before and afterwards 

• Come early on your own or with friends, family and colleagues, for informal discussion with other guests

• Review the discussion from the high quality video recording included in the ticket (no live stream)

• Guests will be invited to participate in powerful AI-assisted discussion platform (Sway) to continue the discussion one-on-one with someone of a different view, after the event.

• Really want to get involved? Email the organisers (info@brisbanedialogues.org)

All tickets include dinner, drinks and canapés. Tickets are priced to make the event as accessible as possible, with individual tickets from $20 for students, enabled by the support of the College and the donation of time and expertise of the speakers, as well as non-student guests.

Hard costs of approximately $75 per person overall need to be covered, so please consider donating tickets or making a separate donation to keep events accessible and Australian Dialogues independent, expanding and sustainable.

The Dialogues is committed to equity and accessibility. If you would like to attend and require a subsidised ticket, please email info@brisbanedialogues.org

The Andrew N. Liveris Academy for Innovation and Leadership, based at The University of Queensland, was established in 2019 following a $13.5 million donation from UQ alumnus Andrew Liveris AO and his wife Paula Liveris. The Academy identifies high-achieving students with leadership potential and a passion for sustainability, and equips them to become agile and courageous leaders capable of discovering and implementing multidisciplinary solutions to grand challenges in sustainability. Activities include prestigious scholarships, structured leadership training, mentoring by visiting leaders, and targeted professional practice placements. The Academy now supports a growing cohort of Liveris Scholars from across Australia, including PhD candidates, and is led by Director Professor Tim Kastelle, with an Advisory Board and Honorary Board helping guide its strategic direction and expand its network.

Australian Dialogues is evolving out of The Brisbane Dialogues, Australia's first civil discourse/constructive discussion or "bridging organisation", established in 2020 to model better discussions between people who disagree. Their mission is to support other organisations conduct "across-the-aisle" or viewpoint-diverse dialogues. Activities include the Big Dialogues series, a private monthly discussion group (Tuesday Dialogues) and a schools program (Dialogues @ School). An Advisory Panel of leading Australians helps expand the Dialogues' network and efforts.