Day 1 of the Geelong Manufacturing Council’s Technology & Innovation Summit set the tone for a highly practical and open conversation about artificial intelligence and its role in modern manufacturing and business operations.
The AI Workshop brought together a diverse group of leaders and practitioners, from organisations yet to implement AI solutions, to those already embedding AI into daily operations. What united the room was a shared curiosity and a willingness to learn, question assumptions, and explore what effective AI adoption really looks like in practice.
Facilitated by the team from Deakin University’s Deakin Applied Artificial Intelligence Initiative (A2I2), including Deakin Distinguished Professor & Co-Director of A2I2 Svetha Venkatesh, the workshop focused less on hype and more on real-world application. Discussions centred on how organisations can move beyond fear and uncertainty toward informed, strategic use of AI, balancing innovation with governance, security, and workforce readiness.
From “Where Do We Start?” to “How Do We Scale?”
For some attendees, the day represented a first step into AI. These conversations explored foundational questions:
- What problems are we trying to solve?
- Where can AI genuinely add value?
- What capabilities do we need internally before we begin?
Chris Thompson, founder of ComplyIQ360, demonstrated the enormous benefits AI can provide in supporting governance and compliance management and administration.
Bianca Hayes, Global Leader – Client Experience, GHD, shared insights from her team’s AI implementation, demonstrating how iterative testing, clear use cases, and a mindset of “progress over protection” can unlock tangible benefits. These peer-to-peer exchanges were a standout feature of the day, grounding the discussion in lived experience rather than theory.
Practical Insights, Not One-Size-Fits-All Solutions
A key takeaway from the workshop was that there is no single pathway to AI adoption. What works for one organisation may not work for another, depending on size, culture, data maturity, and risk profile. The Deakin A2I2 team encouraged attendees to view AI as a capability to be built over time, not a plug-and-play solution, emphasising the importance of governance frameworks, workforce engagement, and ethical considerations alongside technical implementation.
Just as importantly, the conversations highlighted that AI is not solely a technology issue – it is a leadership and change management challenge. Building trust, upskilling teams, and aligning AI initiatives with genuine business needs were recurring themes throughout the day.
A Strong Foundation for What’s Next
The energy in the room reflected a sector ready to engage thoughtfully with AI: asking better questions, learning from one another, and recognising that standing still is no longer an option. As one participant noted, the value of the workshop was as much about the discussion as the content itself.
Deakin University’s A2I2 team echoed this sentiment, thanking participants for their openness and willingness to share experiences, and reinforcing the importance of continuing the dialogue beyond a single event.
Day 1 of GMC’s Technology & Innovation Summit laid a strong foundation for deeper exploration and collaboration across the manufacturing ecosystem. With honest conversations, practical insights, and a focus on real outcomes, the AI Workshop marked an important step forward in helping organisations understand not just what’s possible with AI, but how to move forward with confidence.
Read more:
National thought leaders converge at GMC Summit