Combatting the Code
Description
What happens when governments hand decision-making over to algorithms?
From welfare compliance and predictive policing to visa processing and risk assessment, automated systems are reshaping how governments interact with citizens.
Join Associate Professor Yee-Fui Ng for the 2026 Sandy Duncanson Social Justice Lecture, exploring how AI-driven systems are transforming public decision-making and what’s at stake when they fail.
Moderated by Graham Jefferson, Senior Executive Leader for Data, Analytics and AI and Chief AI Officer, Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
Ideas worth sharing about issues that matter
Island of Ideas invites all Tasmanians to join our series of free public talks designed to ignite conversation and curiosity across our community. Guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the program brings together researchers, policymakers, industry leaders and community voices to discuss the issues that matter.
Stay connected by subscribing to our mailing list for updates or visit Island of Ideas to watch past talks and register for upcoming events.
The Experts
Associate Professor Yee-Fui Ng, Director, Higher Degree by Research (HDR), Monash University
Yee-Fui Ng is an Associate Professor at Monash University who researches in the areas of public law and political integrity, and a 2021-22 Fulbright Scholar. She is the author of Combatting the Code: Regulating Automated Government Decision-Making in Comparative Context (Cambridge University Press, 2025), The Rise of Political Advisors in the Westminster System (Routledge, 2018) and Ministerial Advisers in Australia: The Modern Legal Context (Federation Press, 2016), which was a Holt Prize finalist. Her work has been cited by the High Court of Australia, State Supreme Courts, federal and state parliaments, as well as various government inquiries.
Moderated by Graham Jefferson, Senior Executive Leader for Data, Analytics and AI for the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)
Graham Jefferson is the Senior Executive Leader for Data, Analytics and AI, and Chief AI Officer at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Holding degrees in both Law and Computer Science from the Australian National University, he has spent more than 25 years helping organisations navigate complex legal and technological landscapes. Graham’s early interest in AI and the law led to an a honours thesis on legal expert systems published in 1991 by our own University of Tasmania Law Review. Most of his career has been spent leading in-house legal and technology teams within major global financial institutions, including Barclays, Standard Chartered, Deutsche Bank and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. His work has evolved alongside successive waves of technological change, managing the regulatory and risk implications of Y2K, early e-commerce, data protection and privacy, cybersecurity and cloud computing. In his current role at ASIC, Graham leads the AI and data governance teams. He is a recognised advocate for responsible AI, promoting transparency, robust governance and appropriate oversight of automated decision-making. In 2024, he appeared before the Australian Senate Select Committee on Adopting Artificial Intelligence to discuss the regulation, governance and oversight of AI within the financial services sector.
Event Schedule
- 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Complimentary refreshments available on arrival
Arrive early and enjoy complimentary refreshments before the talk commences. There is free parking, including accessible spaces, available at the venue. Please bring a copy of your printed or electronic ticket to scan on arrival.
- 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Island of Ideas talk
Seating is first come, first served. The event will be live streamed and recorded.
- 7:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Moderated audience Q&A
You are invited to participate in a Q&A directly following the talk.
FAQs
- I can no longer attend in person, can I attend online?
Island of Ideas talks are available to attend either in person or online!
If you would prefer to watch the event live online via Zoom, please register here.
Alternatively, a YouTube livestream will also be available (Q&A is available only through Zoom).
- How can I find out more about Island of ideas events?
Want to learn more about the University of Tasmania's Island of Ideas public talks series?
Catch-up on past events, register for upcoming talks or get in touch with us via our Island of Ideas webpage or subscribe to our mailing list for Island of Ideas updates.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
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