Data+AI Day | Melbourne

Overview

As AI and data continue to disrupt industries, the role of the Chief Data Officer (CDO) is rapidly expanding. Explore cutting-edge strategies for harnessing AI, machine learning, and data science to fuel innovation and create competitive advantages. Learn how to integrate AI into business operations responsibly, overcome challenges around data privacy and ethics, and foster a data-driven culture that spans across the enterprise.

What we will cover

• Data Governance Establishing frameworks to ensure data integrity, quality, and compliance
• Data Strategy Aligning data initiatives with business goals to drive organisational success.
• Analytics Transformation Leveraging advanced analytics to enhance decision-making and operational efficiency.
• Data Architecture Designing scalable data infrastructure to support future growth and innovation.
• Data Literacy Empowering employees with the skills to effectively use and interpret data.
• Data Privacy Implementing practices to protect sensitive information and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Data Monetisation Identifying opportunities to leverage data as a revenue-generating asset.
• Master Data Management Creating a single, reliable source of truth for key business data.
• Data Quality Ensuring accuracy, completeness, and consistency in data across the organisation.
• Data Collaboration Fostering cross-departmental partnerships to enhance data sharing and insights.
• Emerging Technologies Exploring Al and machine learning to transform data utilisation and analysis.
• Data Integration Streamlining data sources for improved accessibility and real-time insights.

Agenda

• 8:30 am Registration and Welcome Coffee(Data+AI Day - Plenary)
• 9:00 am Welcome Address & Introduction(Data+AI Day - Plenary)
• 9:05 am Navigating Australia's Evolving Data Landscape: Implications for Organisations, Insights by Factor(Data+AI Day - Plenary) In 2025, the digital landscape is undergoing another major shift. Australian CDOs, CAIOs and other data and AI leaders are expected to interpret the impacts of technology changes, and play a critical role in influencing C-Level stakeholders. All while organisations navigate financial constraints, increased cyber risks, and the rapid rise of AI-driven transformation. The incredible disruption caused by the launch of DeepSeek and the subsequent scramble by the world’s largest software and tech providers to react has turned what was almost a stable environment into bedlam. Factor’s local research into Australian tech decision makers intentions reveals that 84% of IT investments will be influenced by AI/ML initiatives. However, challenges persist—budget constraints (32%), integration complexity (28%), and talent shortages (18%) remain major barriers to success. The judicious use of AI as a force multiplier rather than a replacement for human intelligence, can assist in overcoming some of these hurdles. Organisations that embrace AI strategically are expected to see improved cybersecurity, greater operational efficiency and improved competitiveness. Organisations that fail to adapt to this new world risk falling behind in an era where technology adoption drives competitive advantage. This presentation will present new research based on your responses to our survey questions, as such it will present extremely relevant and timely information and insights. Discussion Points: What is the current state of AI legislation and ‘guardrails’ in Australia What technologies are influencing overall business and ICT Strategy? What priorities are core to DATA & AI strategies in 2025? What factors are holding CAIO’s back in the race to avoid stagnation in a landscape where AI adoption is accelerating? What strategies can decision makers adopt to increase C-Level stakeholder influence in their organisation?
• 9:20 am AI's Dark Mirror: Power, Crime and the Illusion of Control(Data+AI Day - Plenary) Artificial Intelligence presents organisations with both transformative opportunities and significant challenges. Governments worldwide are leveraging AI to innovate, enhance efficiency, and bolster national defence, often navigating complex risks and ethical dilemmas. This session explores key lessons from government strategies and experiences that private and public organisations can adapt to harness AI’s potential responsibly and effectively. Discussion Points: AI Innovations for Organisational Growth Building Resilience Against AI-Driven Risks Creating a Balanced Approach to AI Adoption
• 9:40 am Global Megatrends and the Power of C-Suite Fusion(Data+AI Day - Plenary) Join an expert C-Suite panel as they explore how partnerships among top executives are essential for addressing today’s global megatrends. Moving beyond the buzzwords of fusion teams, this discussion will focus on the importance of collaborative leadership in navigating shifts in technology, governance, and market dynamics, showcasing how integrated strategies can bolster organisational resilience and agility. Discussion Points: Leveraging diverse executive perspectives to tackle complex global challenges. Developing adaptable frameworks to meet governance, technological, and economic shifts. Fostering cross-functional alignment to drive innovation and gain a competitive edge.
• 10:05 am Leveraging Data for Consumer Insights and Innovation(Data+AI Day - Plenary) Join us and explore how centralising consumer data across Nine’s platforms, like Sydney Morning Herald, Stan, and Nine Now, enables personalised experiences and targeted offerings. She’ll discuss leveraging data for innovative product development, including advertising and content strategies, while highlighting the importance of ethical data use to maintain consumer trust and privacy. Discussion Points: Creating a Unified View of the Consumer: Centralising data across business units to gain a comprehensive understanding of consumer behaviour and deliver personalised, targeted experiences. Data-Driven Product Development: Using consumer insights to innovate and improve products, including targeted ads and content strategies. Ethical Use of Data and Consumer Trust: Ensuring consumer privacy and trust by adhering to ethical data practices in collection, storage, and usage.
• 10:25 am Morning Tea & Networking(Data+AI Day - Plenary)
• 11:25 am Graphs & GraphRAG - Essential Ingredients for Enterprise GenAI(Data+AI Day - Plenary) Knowledge graphs are emerging as useful and often necessary for bringing Enterprise GenAI projects from PoC into production. They make GenAI more dependable, transparent and secure across a wide variety of use cases. They are also helpful in GenAI application development: providing a human-navigable view of relevant knowledge that can be queried and visualised. This talk will share up-to-date learnings from the evolving field of knowledge graphs; why more & more organisations are using knowledge graphs to achieve GenAI successes; and practical definitions, tools, and tips for getting started.
• 11:45 am Why Most Companies Struggle to Build a Data-Driven Culture: Lessons from the Frontlines(Data+AI Day - Plenary) Developing a data-driven culture is essential but fraught with challenges. This session explores the complexities of simplifying data landscapes, aligning teams, and embedding data-first practices across the organisation. Gain actionable insights into fostering a data-driven mindset that empowers teams and delivers tangible business outcomes. Discussion Points: Practical strategies for simplifying data environments and enabling cross-functional collaboration Overcoming internal resistance to data-driven transformation Building common tools and reusable data assets to streamline decision-making Tackling the fear of change and ensuring teams embrace new data-centric workflows
• 0:05 pm Re-Building Your Company in an AI-Native World(Data+AI Day - Plenary) In a world where AI is becoming more embedded in our day-to-day lives, companies need to re-build themselves in this AI-native world. But in a seemingly ever-changing landscape, how do you keep up? This session explores the principles and strategies companies need to consider to stay relevant in this new era. Discussions points: Why a clear data-driven company strategy is even more important Innovation is no longer a choice Talent and hiring - how your people strategy needs to change
• 0:25 pm Building Cross-Functional Teams to Drive Value from Data and AI, Responsibly(Data+AI Day - Plenary) To see return on investment from their Data and AI teams, companies need strong alignment with their customer and business strategy, as well as a way to navigate risk in an environment of increasing regulation around Responsible AI and Data Privacy. Strong collaboration across functions is essential – bringing together Product Managers, Data Scientists, Software and Data Engineers, Legal and Privacy experts, and the right sponsorship from business leaders. Discussion Points: Key roles and responsibilities – What expertise is needed to take AI and data products to market, and how can teams organise to drive collaboration? Sponsorship and strategic alignment – How to set the team up with success by solving the right problem, with the right support from the business? Data Governance, Data Privacy, and Responsible AI - How can organisations integrate legal, ethical, and security considerations into AI development without stifling innovation?
• 0:45 pm Lunch Break, Peer Connect & Luncheon Roundtables(Data+AI Day - Plenary)
• 1:45 pm Data Governance in Action Real-world approaches to ensuring trustworthy, accurate, and well-managed data.
• 1:45 pm Generative AI in Data Operations Practical applications of generative AI to optimise workflows and uncover new opportunities.
• 1:45 pm Uncovering Trends with Deep Visual Analytics(Advanced Visualisation) Uncover trends with deeper visuals. Learn how advanced visualisation tools reveal actionable patterns in data.
• 1:45 pm Connecting Data for Unified and Future-Ready Organisations(Integrated Planning) Connect data for unified planning. Streamline planning and analytics processes for future-ready organisations.
• 1:45 pm Augmenting Business Intelligence with Intelligent Insights(AI Analytics) Augment BI with intelligent insights. Learn how AI-driven analytics enhance efficiency and reduce decision-making risks.
• 1:45 pm Analysing Data at Unparalleled Speed with Agile Architectures(Serverless Scalability) Analyse data at unparalleled speed. Experience the agility of serverless architectures for enterprise analytics.
• 1:45 pm Centralising Analytics to Achieve Strategic Business Goals(Enterprise Insights) Centralise analytics for strategic goals. Discover how integrated solutions drive collaboration and planning for businesses.
• 2:10 pm Fact-Checking the Fantasy of Turning Data into Dollars(Data + AI Day) With years of experience leading data strategy and governance, David brings a practical perspective on how businesses can transform data from a cost centre into a core driver of growth. This session will explore proven strategies to align data initiatives with business objectives, overcome common pitfalls, and build sustainable value from data assets. Discussion Points: Insights into why businesses often struggle to monetise data effectively Practical steps to align data monetisation efforts with customer-led growth strategies Emerging trends in data as a revenue generator and what businesses need to do to stay ahead
• 2:30 pm Strategy or Guesswork? Why Your Data Plan Might Be Failing(Data + AI Day) Having a data strategy is essential, but is it aligned with your business goals? Explore why so many companies miss the mark and how to fix it. Discussion Points: Why most data strategies fail to deliver business impact. Aligning data initiatives with business objectives. Creating a data strategy that delivers measurable outcomes.
• 2:50 pm Garbage In, AI Out: The Data Quality Crisis in AI-Driven Automation(Data + AI Day) Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems are only as effective as the data they process. In an era dominated by automation and real-time decision-making, the integrity of data is paramount. Poor data quality can compromise AI-driven automation, leading to inaccurate insights and eroding trust in AI outputs. This session examines the impact of data quality on AI initiatives and explores strategies to enhance data handling, ensuring AI models deliver reliable and actionable results. Discussion Points: The Impact of Poor Data Quality on AI Effectiveness. Ensuring Data Quality to Build Trust in AI Outputs. Strategies for Improving Data Quality at Scale. Maintaining Data Integrity in Real-Time Environments.
• 3:10 pm Beyond Generative AI and Chatbots: Understanding AI as a Transformative Enabler(Data + AI Day) Join us, as Pia will delve into the transformative potential of AI beyond the common applications of generative AI, chatbots, and other surface-level tools. The talk will focus on how organisations can leverage AI as a strategic enabler to drive meaningful impact and innovation. Pia will share insights on transitioning from operational efficiencies to strategic, outcome-driven approaches that empower organisations to adapt to change, sense opportunities, and address unintended impacts in real-time. Discussion Points: Shifting the narrative from operational efficiency to strategic impact. The Role of Data and AI in Sensing Organisations Examples of Transformative AI Use Cases.
• 3:30 pm End of Day & Closing Remarks(Data + AI Day)
• 3:35 pm End of Day & Networking Drinks(Data + AI Day)

Speakers

• Josh Heid · CEO, Factor Josh brings with himself years of leadership experience as the driving force behind Factor and Panelist, where he has shaped the future of business strategy through his expertise in Product Design, Customer Experience, and Engineering. An innovator at heart, Josh excels in Product Design, where he combines aesthetic sensibility with functional purpose to create solutions that resonate with users and deliver measurable results. His approach bridges customer needs and cutting-edge technology, ensuring that every product is not only visually compelling but also highly effective in meeting market demands. In the realm of Customer Experience, Josh has consistently championed the importance of understanding user journeys and fostering engagement through intuitive design and seamless interactions. He has implemented frameworks that elevate user satisfaction, ensuring that Factor’s offerings remain at the forefront of customer-centric innovation. Josh's engineering mindset adds a unique layer to his leadership. His ability to translate complex concepts into actionable development processes has resulted in robust, scalable applications and systems. By integrating engineering principles with strategic thinking, Josh has driven operational excellence while maintaining a sharp focus on delivering top-tier solutions to clients. With a deep understanding of Leadership Strategy, Marketing, and Sales, Josh has built Factor and Panelist into trusted names in their industries, continuously setting new benchmarks for innovation and success.
• Darren Adams · Director - Data & Value Enablement, Factor As Director of Data, Value Enablement and Research, Darren aligns key industry learnings with extensive data analytics to underpin the business strategies and activities. Darren works with every department in the business to ensure their operations are supported by key metrics and relevant findings, and collating our information to deliver insights to our audiences.
• Craig Baty · VP Research & Advisory, Factor With over 30 years of C-level experience in ICT, HR, marketing, sales, operations, research, leadership, and international business, Craig is a notable tech industry leader.
• James Greaney · Chief Data Officer, CHEP Network James Greaney is the Chief Data Officer at CHEP Network, a full-service advertising agency whose clients include Samsung, Telstra, IAG and Mazda. James heads up a team of data scientists and insights analysts delivering along the full spectrum of ‘analysis’ - from delivering reports with data led insights to machine learning algorithms.
• Kavitha Dhanraj · Chief Data Officer, EBOS Group Limited A proven strategic product leader driving business objectives and goals to simplify the delivery and integration of complex technologies, from ideation to operations. Kavitha is passionate about building globally distributed high-performing teams, delivering successful outcomes at scale, aligning to governance, security, and privacy requirements, and ensuring optimal operating efficiency.
• Clint May · Chief Financial Officer, David Jones Clint has more than twenty years’ experience in accounting and financial services, business analysis, project delivery and senior finance management. As the Chief Financial Officer at David Jones, he is responsible for leading David Jones’ Finance, Strategy, Supply Chain, Legal and Transformation functions. Clint has led major projects across retail, pharmaceutical, automotive, environmental and mining, and fulfilled senior roles at General Manager and CFO/Company Secretary level. Clint’s well-honed strategic and decision-making skills are complemented by his ability to manage diverse stakeholder groups and the confidence to deliver forthright advice.
• Jonathan Cook · Chief Data & Analytics Officer, Westpac Institutional Bank Jonathan Cook, Chief Data & Analytics Officer for the Westpac Institutional bank, is passionate about enabling data driven decision-making and has spent his career helping organisations navigate complex data & technology transformation agendas. A change advocate, promoting simplification of data ecosystems, uplifting people & capabilities, and championing modern data practices to nurture enduring data culture.
• Ben Pattison · Chief Data & Analytics Officer, Flight Centre Travel Group Ben has Over 25 years experience, in the UK and Australia, as a data, analytical and strategic leader, passionate about driving business and customer value from data, insights and analytics. Ben is an experienced executive leader in end to end data and analytics, including data engineering, governance, insights, analytics, machine learning and AI. Consistently successful in designing and integrating Data Science, Decision Services, Analytical Marketing and Risk solutions. Across Retail, Business, Consumer Finance, Insurance, Wealth, Logistics and Manufacturing sectors.
• Milica Ng, PhD · Senior Director, Global Head of Data Science, CSL Milica is an innovative, strategic leader focusing on emerging technologies. She has a deep expertise in AI, data science, and biotechnology. Her ability to guide organisations and teams through the complexities of fast-evolving data and digital landscapes has been developed through a broad international experience in defence, utilities, management consulting, retail entrepreneurship, and pharma across four continents. Milica holds a PhD from the Medical Faculty at The University of Melbourne and has completed a Master's in Engineering at the University of Adelaide.
• Pia Andrews · Digital Government Innovator and Former First Assistant Secretary and CDO, Fmr. Department of Home Affairs Pia Andrews is a serial public sector transformer and reformer, usually working within the machine to drive adaptive policy management, policy infrastructure, participatory governance, high trust and legitimate systems and operating models (inc AI), citizen-centric design, service agility and real, pragmatic continuous innovation in the public sector and beyond. She is on a self mission to transform public sectors to be more humane, responsive and effective in the 21st century, at the speed of continuous change and urgency.
• Tania Churchill · Chief Data & Analytics Officer, Australia Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) Dr Tania Churchill is a trusted, experienced, and recognised Data & Analytics Leader (CDAO). She has experience in building data and analytics maturity within an organisation, particularly in the Australia Public Service. Tania is an experienced Data Scientist and Engineering leader who's comfortable tackling complex, ambiguous projects that provide real world value. She has a proven ability to hire, grow and retain data science, data governance and engineering teams, promoting a positive culture built on servant leadership and cross functional teams. Tania has 20+ years experience in Data Science, Engineering and IT. She is an Adjunct Academic at ANU, and her qualifications include a PhD (Data Science), Masters of IT (Software Engineering), and a Bachelor of Management. In 2021, her exceptional leadership was officially recognised by being awarded an Australia Day Achievement Medallion.
• David Lamond · Chief Data and Analytics Officer, Scentre Group (Owner of Westfield destinations in Aus and NZ) David has worked with Boards, Chief Executives, and their teams and as an Executive to achieve outstanding results through customer-led growth, full-potential transformation, and the practical application of ‘big data’. He has 20 years' experience both as a consultant and in senior line roles. His work is mainly in retail and consumer products. Since 2015, David has been the Director of Strategic Analytics, Insights and Research (otherwise known as the CDAO - Chief Data and Analytics Officer) at Scentre Group. He is on the Data Advisory Board of the MIT Centre for Information Systems Research.
• Suzie Cardwell · Chief Data Officer, Nine Suzie Cardwell has a proven track record in leading digital transformation strategies and new data-led digital products that achieve commercial growth. With deep experience of digital and data platform development, Suzie leads cross-functional teams in commercially-driven technology change.
• Kate Romanova · Group Head of Transformation, Strategy and Innovation, Ex-Qantas Former Qantas CIO/CTO | CIO50 #25 in 2022, #6 in 2023 20+ years of strategic transformation, portfolio delivery, and optimisation experience, & more than 15 years in leadership, building and guiding global teams of 200+ to deliver strategic outcomes in fluid, pressured and challenging environments. I am an innovative technology leader who delivers tangible, measurable business outcomes by partnering with executive peers, boards, and key industry stakeholders, to turn around and drive timely and cost-effective execution to deliver key business and customer benefits.
• Emil Pastor · Head of Solutions Engineering A/NZ, Neo4j Emil Pastor is Head of Solution Engineering A/NZ at Neo4j based in Sydney, Australia. He has been a data and AI professional, enabling organizations in various industries through strategy, architecture, use case delivery, and capability building to support stakeholders and client data professionals in leveraging their data assets. Prior to working at Neo4j, he worked as an Architect and Consultant for organizations like Microsoft, McKinsey & Company (QuantumBlack), EY, and Teradata.
• Catherine Arnold · Chief of Data Services, SEEK
• Yingying Li · CFO, Group Four Building Surveyors Yingying is an FCPA with over 10 years of experience in senior finance roles, currently serving as CFO at a leading construction consulting firm supporting major residential builders. Yingying's career highlights include driving profit growth, implementing effective internal controls, enhancing reporting systems, and developing high-performing teams. Her skillset ranges from budgeting, forecasting, M&A analysis, feasibility analysis, financial modelling, to corporate financing etc.
• Will Jung · GM Product and Engineering, APAC, nCino Will Jung is the General Manager of APAC Product and Engineering at nCino, where he oversees the development of a trusted intelligent banking platform for the APAC region and the global mortgage solution. Driven by a passion for leveraging technology to strengthen human connections, Will brings over 15 years of experience at Macquarie Bank, where he led banking transformations in enterprise agility, product management, retail and commercial originations, and data.

Partners

• Dataiku · Gold Dataiku is the centralized data platform that moves businesses along their data journey from analytics at scale to enterprise AI. By providing a common ground for data experts and explorers, a repository of best practices, shortcuts to machine learning and AI deployment/management, and a centralized, controlled environment, Dataiku is the catalyst for data-powered companies. Customers like Unilever, GE, and Comcast use Dataiku to ensure they are moving quickly and growing exponentially along with the amount of data they’re collecting. By removing roadblocks, Dataiku ensures more opportunity for business-impacting models and creative solutions, allowing teams to work faster and smarter.
• Alation · Bronze Alation is the leader in enterprise data intelligence solutions including data search & discovery, data governance, data stewardship, analytics, and digital transformation. Alation’s initial offering dominates the data catalog market. Thanks to its powerful Behavioral Analysis Engine, inbuilt collaboration capabilities, and open interfaces, Alation combines machine learning with human insight to successfully tackle even the most demanding challenges in data and metadata management. More than 330 enterprises drive data culture, improve decision making, and realize business outcomes with Alation including AbbVie, American Family Insurance, Cisco, Exelon, Fifth Third Bank, Finnair, Munich Re, NASDAQ, New Balance, Parexel, Pfizer, US Foods, and Vistaprint. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Alation was named to Inc. Magazine’s Best Workplaces list and is backed by leading venture capitalists including Blackstone, Costanoa, Data Collective, Dell Technologies, Icon, ISAI Cap, Riverwood, Salesforce, Sanabil, Sapphire, and Snowflake Ventures. For more information, visit alation.com.
• BMC Software · Bronze From core to cloud to edge, BMC continues to build on a 40-year heritage of shaping digital transformation for organizations around the world. We deliver the software and services innovations that help over 10,000 global customers, including 84% of the Forbes Global 100, thrive in their ongoing evolution to an Autonomous Digital Enterprise—a state in which intelligent, integrated, value-creating functions operate with minimal human involvement across every facet of the organization and its ecosystem. We are proud to have earned recognition as an ITSM Gartner Magic Quadrant Leader for seven years running, as well as being named overall leader in the EMA Radar Report for Workload Automation for five years in a row and top of the charts in EMA’s recent AIOps Radar report. Our future-focused portfolio helps drive business success with AI-enabled solutions for automation, optimization, performance, security, and service management, covering everything from mainframe to multi-cloud. BMC’s open, scalable, modular technologies help ensure that our customers can run and reinvent their businesses for growth and competitive edge while optimizing cost, performance, and security. For more information about BMC, please visit www.bmc.com.
• Neo4j · Gold Neo4j is the world’s leading graph data platform. We help organizations – including Comcast, ICIJ, NASA, UBS, and Volvo Cars – capture the rich context of the real world that exists in their data to solve challenges of any size and scale. Our customers transform their industries by curbing financial fraud and cybercrime, optimizing global networks, accelerating breakthrough research, and providing better recommendations. Neo4j delivers real-time transaction processing, advanced AI/ML, intuitive data visualization, and more. Find us at neo4j.com and follow us at @Neo4j.
• Tiger Analytics · Bronze Tiger Analytics is pioneering what AI and analytics can do to solve some of the toughest problems faced by organizations globally. We develop bespoke solutions powered by data and technology for several Fortune 500 companies. We have offices in multiple cities across the US, UK, India, and Singapore, and a substantial remote global workforce. We have received multiple awards ranging from being recognized as a Leader by Forrester Research to being ranked among the fastest-growing tech companies by Inc. and Financial Times. We consistently feature in prestigious ‘Best Analytics Firms’ lists. If you’re interested to explore career opportunities with Tiger, we’d love to tell you more. You’ll work alongside the best in the industry, learn the structured approach to innovate, and have fun along the way.
• nCino · Platinum
• Factor Leading market research in APAC.

More events from this host

• Architecture + AI Day | Sydney October 2026, Barangaroo
• Data+AI Day | Sydney May 2027, Sydney
• Data+AI Day | Singapore June 2027, Singapore
• Data+AI Day | Melbourne September 2027, Docklands
• Data+AI Day | Singapore October 2027, Singapore
• Canva Melbourne Roundtable August 2026, Melbourne
• AI Systems Scale August 2026
• Agentic Brand Control August 2026, The Rocks