AI in science: the promise, perils and path forward – AI and our health

Could 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, 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

If you’re curious about the future of medicine, come along to discover the opportunities AI offers in creating a healthier world. 

Event details

Date: Tuesday 8 April 2025 

Time: Canapes and drinks are served from 5.30pm, with the talks (and the livestream) starting at 6.00pm AEST. 

Venue: The Shine Dome, 15 Gordon Street, Acton ACT (and online livestream) 

Cost: $20pp ($15pp for students) 

Speakers

Professor Enrico Coiera, Macquarie University
Enrico 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. He has a research background in industry and academia, with a strong international research reputation.

Professor Monika Janda, University of Queensland
Monika 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.

Series details

Series dates

The events are held at the Shine Dome in Canberra on the second Tuesday of every second month:

Tuesday 11 February: What is AI?
Tuesday 8 April: AI and our health 
Tuesday 10 June: AI and our environment 
Tuesday 12 August: AI and our food 
Tuesday 14 October: AI and our safety 
Tuesday 9 December: AI in science and research 

Series host

The Academy is pleased to welcome ABC's Lish Fejer as the host for all the events across this series. As a seasoned radio broadcaster and passionate science communicator, Lish will deliver illuminating sessions with her engaging style and thought-provoking questions.

Series convenors

Thank you to the convenors supporting the series in 2025:

• Professor Ian Chubb AC FAA FTSE, Secretary Science Policy, Australian Academy of Science 
• Professor Bob Graham AO FAA FAHMS, Vice President and Secretary for Biological Sciences, Australian Academy of Science 

Series supporters 

For more information about the series and the other events, please visit the series webpage. For all enquiries, please email events@science.org.au.