AI Open Forum 2026 Small Business Edition

The University of Technology Sydney (UTS), in partnership with Business Excellence Australia (BEA) and industry collaborators, is proud to host AI from Investment to Implementation on Wednesday, 14 October 2026.

Held at the UTS Business School, this FREE event is designed for business leaders, managers, small and medium-sized enterprises, and professionals seeking to move beyond the hype surrounding artificial intelligence and understand how AI can be translated into practical business value.

The event aims to bridge the gap between investment in AI and its effective implementation, bringing together academic research, industry experience and practical examples of how organisations can identify opportunities, build capability and implement AI in ways that improve productivity, customer value and business performance.

This event is deliberately designed around interaction and practical exchange. Rather than a series of traditional presentations, we are bringing together business leaders, academics, technology specialists and practitioners to explore what it really takes to move from AI interest and investment to implementation. The focus is on identifying where AI can create value, understanding the organisational and operational challenges involved, and developing practical pathways for responsible and effective adoption.

Event Format and Objectives

The event is structured around two interconnected themes, each designed to encourage discussion, challenge assumptions and translate ideas into action:

• From AI Opportunity to Business Value: Exploring where AI can contribute to productivity, customer experience, service innovation and business excellence, and how organisations can distinguish meaningful opportunities from technology hype.

• From Investment to Implementation: Examining the capabilities, processes, people, governance and organisational changes required to successfully introduce AI into everyday business operations.

Each session will feature brief, focused insights from business leaders, academics and AI practitioners, followed by extended audience discussion, practical conversation and interactive debate.

The objective is not simply to talk about AI, but to help participants consider:

• where AI can create meaningful value in their organisation;

• how to assess whether an AI investment is worthwhile;

• what capabilities are required to move from experimentation to implementation;

• how people, processes and technology need to work together;

• how AI can support rather than undermine customer and employee value; and

• what practical next steps organisations can take following the event.

The session will conclude by identifying practical priorities and pathways that businesses—particularly small and medium-sized enterprises—can use to move confidently from AI investment to implementation.

Who should attend?

This forum is designed for small-business owners, managers, operational leaders, technology professionals, advisers, researchers and anyone responsible for evaluating or implementing AI within an organisation.

Participants will gain practical perspectives on responsible AI adoption, organisational readiness, human accountability and the translation of emerging technology into measurable business, customer and community value.

• When: Wednesday 14 October 2026

• Time: 4:30pm–6:30 pm

• UTS Business School, Level 2, Oval Room

Places are limited. Register to join the conversation and connect with researchers, practitioners, technology founders and small-business leaders.

A joint initiative of Business Excellence Australia and the UTS AI in Business Research Hub.

Joint organisors Dr Moira Scerri & Dr Helena Li