Co-Designing Our AI Future: An Industry Conversation

There is a lot of talk about how AI is reshaping industries and the ways we work. Much of it is about the technology. We think the more important conversation is about people: the graduates, colleagues, clients and communities who will live and work in an AI-enabled world. As one of our valued industry partners, you are seeing that change first-hand. We would like to invite you to help the University of Wollongong make sure our response to AI  both nurtures human relationships and leverages AI wisely.

What we’d like to explore with you: 

• How AI is being used in your industry. Where is it creating value, saving time or opening new opportunities? Where is it falling short or raising concerns? 
• What stays distinctly human. Which skills, such as judgement, ethics, empathy, creativity, communication and critical thinking, will matter most in your workforce, and how can UOW strengthen them in graduates? 
• What graduates need to bring. What should students be able to do with AI, and what should they be able to do without it? 
• How we should assess learning. What evidence of capability would give you confidence in a UOW graduate? 
• How we can work together. Through our AI Professional Practice Co-Lab, we are strengthening academic-industry partnerships so that changes in professional practice, current and projected, feed directly into future-ready curriculum. 

What to expect on the day 

• A welcome from UOW’s Deputy Vice Chancellor of Education Helen Partridge,  and an overview of the Blueprint and where it is up to with Professor Kelly Matthews, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Teaching & Learning) 
• A relaxed lunch with industry peers and the university leaders guiding our AI response, who will be there to listen, not just present. 
• Facilitated small-group conversations on how AI is changing your industry and what the workforce of the future needs. 
• A chance to say what you’d like to see in the Blueprint, and to hear how your feedback will be used. 

Afterwards, we will share a summary of what we heard and how it informs the final Blueprint, so you can see your contribution in action. 

Be part of the change 

AI will change how we work, but people will decide how well it works for us. Help us help you by shaping the future of the workforce with us. 

Places are limited so that every voice is heard. Please RSVP by 30 October and let us know of any dietary or accessibility requirements. If a colleague would add valuable perspective, we’d welcome them too. 

We hope you can join us.