AI in Science: The Promise, Perils, and Path Forward

Presented by the Australian Academy of Science

Can you imagine a robot stitching up your wound? Or an algorithm scanning your moles for signs of skin cancer? What about an AI-prescribed treatment plan tailored specifically to your genetics?

AI is revolutionising medicine and healthcare, turning solutions that were once unimaginable into reality. Join us for an exploration of this new frontier – both the groundbreaking tech and what it means for patients and doctors alike.

Our two expert speakers will discuss exciting AI-driven developments with the potential to transform lives. They will also share insights into the curly ethical questions and challenges facing the healthcare system as AI expands.

You will hear about:

• AI-powered tools detecting diseases earlier and more accurately than ever before
• real-world applications coming to a hospital or clinic near you, from robotic surgery to virtual health assistants
• cutting-edge advancements in personalised medicine, where treatments are tailored specifically to you
• how AI is speeding up the development of new drugs, saving time and money.

Speakers

Professor Enrico Coiera, Macquarie University 

Enrico Coiera is the director of the Centre for Health Informatics, Australian Institute of Health Innovation at Macquarie University. He also founded and leads the Australian Alliance for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare (AAAiH), a group with more than 100 member organisations supporting the sustainable development of AI-enabled healthcare in Australia. Enrico trained in medicine with a computer science PhD in AI. 

Professor Monika Janda, University of Queensland 

Monika Janda is the director of the Centre for Health Services Research at the University of Queensland. Monika’s work focuses on applied health and clinical research problems, making a difference to cancer prevention, early detection and treatment outcomes. She is passionate about consumer-centred digital interventions that make self-management of health-related issues easier for people.