AI in Action Albury-Wodonga Building a Dynamic and AI Enabled Workforce in the Hume Region
Description
Regional Development Australia, Hume and La Trobe University are hosting conferences in Shepparton and Albury-Wodonga this October.
These free, practical and hands on conferences will explore how AI is changing the way organisations work, and what leaders and managers can do to prepare their workforce. Whether you are an early AI adopter, or are more advanced, there is something for everyone.
Delegates will take part in a live assessment of their AI readiness, learn from local case studies, and work through practical sessions applying AI techniques. Know where you and your organisation sits on the AI adoption curve, and what to do next.
What to bring? A charged laptop or phone, access to a generative artificial intelligence tool, one genuine work challenge and a willingness to have a go.
Who should attend? Business owners, Leaders, Team members, Professionals and Community Organisations. All industries, public and private sector welcome.
No advanced technical knowledge is required.
Agenda
- 9:30 am - 10:00 am
Registration, coffee & networking
- 10:00 am - 10:10 am
Welcome
- 10:10 am - 10:20 am
Acknowledgement of Country
- 10:20 am - 10:30 am
Launch Hume Regional Workforce Strategy 2026–29
- 10:30 am - 10:50 am
Keynote: Patricia Haueiss, La Trobe University AI Institute
- 10:50 am - 11:10 am
Morning Tea
- 11:10 am - 11:30 am
Workshop: Where do you sit? Live AI readiness self-assessment
- 11:30 am - 12:15 pm
Panel: Local Voices - AI in the real world
- 12:15 pm - 1:00 pm
Lunch & networking - Lunchtime showcase
- 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Masterclass: Live the Artificial Intelligence Experience with Ali Juma
Ali Juma is known for practical, highly engaging artificial intelligence workshops that get people actively using the technology on real work. This 90 minute masterclass is hands on, interactive and designed to be useful and enjoyable. Participants will bring a genuine work challenge and use artificial intelligence to work better, think better and identify opportunities to redesign work. They will leave with: • greater confidence using artificial intelligence • a useful result connected to their own work • a sharper way of thinking with the technology • a practical next step they can apply immediately
- 2:30 pm - 2:45 pm
Closing Statement - Human potential in the age of AI
- 2:45 pm - 3:00 pm
Closing Acknowledgements
Lineup
Brett Luxford, RDA Hume, Chair
Brett Luxford, RDA Hume Chair will launch Hume Regional Workforce Strategy 2026–29. Brett brings with a wealth of experience across economic development, strategic planning and partnerships, and governance. Brett has previously worked across metropolitan, regional and rural Council’s as well as taking an active role in Boards, previously being a foundation board member of Economic Development Australia, Geelong Tech School and Kardinia Park Advisory Committee. Brett is particularly interested in supporting regional economic development through the provision of infrastructure, housing and an appropriately skilled workforce.
Patricia Haueiss, Managing Director, La Trobe AI Institute
Patricia Haueiss oversees the La Trobe AI Institute’s delivery, partnerships, and public engagement, supporting the university’s AI agenda through applied initiatives and thought leadership. Recognised as one of Australia’s Top 100 Innovators.
Ged Bourke, Head of Campus, La Trobe University, Albury-Wodonga
Ged Bourke is an experienced regional education leader with more than 20 years’ experience spanning higher education, vocational training and technology-enabled enterprise. Ged currently serves as TAFE Services Manager – Border Cluster at TAFE NSW, leading five campuses across southern NSW. Previously, he held senior leadership roles at Charles Sturt University, including Manager of Innovation Hubs where he led university-wide innovation programs across seven campuses and worked closely with industry, entrepreneurs and Indigenous communities. Ged was a founding member of an Australian technology start-up used by hundreds of businesses across every state in Australia, employing 20 staff. He brings a strong focus on innovation, partnership and regional capability-building. He holds a Bachelor of Education and a Graduate Certificate of Commerce.
Jodie Finlayson, General Manager Primary Care and Nursing, Gateway Health
Jodie has a strong background in community health and nursing leadership across acute health and community settings. She is passionate about improving access and equity, building partnerships, and creating practical solutions that strengthen individual and community wellbeing. Jodie brings both strategic insight and a hands-on approach to her work with a focus on people. She values collaboration, innovation, and person-centred care, and is committed to making a meaningful impact through her work.
Ali Juma, Founder and Director, The Inner Game of Change Institute
Ali Juma is an artificial intelligence adoption and business transformation leader who helps organisations move beyond experimentation and embed artificial intelligence into real work. His work brings together adoption, capability building, workflow redesign and the human experience of change. Ali has worked across higher education, agribusiness, legal and professional services, helping leaders and teams build confidence, strengthen judgement and redesign how work gets done. He is particularly passionate about ensuring regional businesses and communities can participate confidently in the opportunities created by artificial intelligence. Through The Inner Game of Change Institute, Ali designs practical learning experiences that invite people to work with artificial intelligence, think with artificial intelligence and grow with artificial intelligence. His workshops are active, grounded in genuine workplace challenges and designed to keep human judgement in the lead. Ali is also the host of The Inner Game of Change Podcast, where he speaks with global thinkers and practitioners about leadership, neuroscience, organisational change and the changing nature of work.
Clayton Neil, Manager City Growth and Communications, City of Wodonga
Clayton Neil is Manager City Growth at the City of Wodonga, where he leads strategic initiatives to drive economic growth, investment attraction and industry development across one of regional Australia’s key logistics and manufacturing hubs. Clayton brings over two decades of experience across local government, social enterprise and the private sector, with a strong focus on enabling sustainable economic outcomes and building resilient regional economies. A strong advocate for entrepreneurship, Clayton has worked extensively with communities, businesses and government to develop innovation ecosystems, support emerging enterprises and deliver place-based economic strategies. He is particularly interested in the intersection of infrastructure, industry transformation and regional competitiveness, and is committed to creating environments where businesses can grow, innovate and contribute to long-term economic prosperity.
Tim Clune, Snr Lecturer, Sustainable Operations Management
Tim is a Senior Lecturer in Management/HRM located at the Albury-Wodonga Campus. Tim's research is outcome focused, collaborative and interdisciplinary, and addresses the economic, social and environmental complexities challenging sustainable agribusinesses and thriving regional economies. Tim is responsible for the successful delivery of both the Agribusiness Major and Minor as part of the Bachelor of Business.
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