AI is a hot topic but how well have we debated the opportunities and challenges for older adults, and their allies, health and aged care services? The symposium will explore the intersection of digital technology, AI, and human rights in aged care.

The day will open with a provocation delivered by Dr Gail Kenning from the University of NSW, followed by short presentations from experts including Dr Barbara Barbosa Neves, University of Sydney, Dr Saiful Islam, University of Newcastle, and Dr Louise Horstmanshof, Southern Cross University. A panel discussion will provoke and set off sparks and jolts. This will lead into a creativity workshop in which the audience and speakers are invited to be imaginative about how AI might help them live their ‘best life’.

• Learn about the possibilities and threats of AI for ageing, aged care and health
• Explore your ‘AI’ best life in a creative workshop
  
  

Hear from our speakers:

Dr Gail Kenning
Senior Research Fellow at fEEL
and Big Anxiety Research Centre UNSW
Dr Gail Kenning’s works on interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary projects located at the intersection of art, design, and creativity and psychosocial support, affective engagement and sensory experiencing in mental health and trauma, she has a particular focus on ageing, dementia and loneliness.  She is a member of the Big Anxiety Research Centre and fEEL (felt Experience and Empathy Lab) and engages in solo and collaborative design projects. She has an art and design  and research practice (BA Hons, MA, PhD) where she has exhibited nationally and internationally, academic research (60+ books, book chapters, articles), industry (quant and qual research and software development) and community engagement (with councils, galleries, arts health organisations, and government). She is secretary of the Arts Health Network NSW and ACT (AHNNA) and has affiliations with Neura UNSW, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Eindhoven University and University of Technology Sydney.


Dr Barbara Barbosa Neves
Sydney Centre for Healthy Societies
Dr Barbara Barbosa Neves (PhD, FRSA, FHEA) is an award-winning sociologist of technology and ageing, based at the Sydney Centre for Healthy Societies. She holds a prestigious Sydney Horizon Fellowship in AI social science. Dr Neves is an internationally recognised expert on loneliness, social isolation, and digital inequalities in later life.


Dr Saiful Islam
Senior Lecturer
School of Information and Physical Sciences
The University of Newcastle
Dr Saiful Islam is Senior Lecturer in the School of Information and Physical Sciences at The University of Newcastle, Australia. His research interest is in the field of big data, data management, AI, predictive analytics, and medical/health informatics. He is interested in solving real-world problems, utilising cutting-edge data analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques to solve intricate problems across a range of industries. He is a senior member of the IEEE (SMIEEE) and a fellow of higher education academy (FHEA).


Nandini Doreswamy
PhD Student Southern Cross University
and Board Member Australian Doctors for Africa
Nandini Doreswamy is currently pursuing a PhD in Health. Research topic: "An exploration of whether humans will continue to have meaningful decision-making roles in an AI-driven future in complex health services". I currently serve as a Non-executive Director on the Board of Australian Doctors for Africa [ADFA], an international development charity accredited by the Australian federal Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.


Dr Louise Horstmanshof
Southern Cross University
Dr Louise Horstmanshof is a senior academic at Southern Cross University and a registered psychologist with over 20 years of experience in higher education and ageing research. She has led national projects on health workforce development and dementia education. Her research spans health literacy, academic resilience, ageing, and Generative AI in health decision-making. Louise serves on the Dementia Inclusive Ballina Alliance steering committee, the APS North Coast Branch Committee, and the NSW Division Committee of the Australian Association of Gerontology.

Hosted by Dr Helen English and Carrie Hayter

Time:
10.00am - 3-00pm
(coffee/tea from 9.30am
lunch 12.30pm)

Venue:
University of Newcastle NUSpace
X502, Level 5
Corner of Hunter Street & Auckland Street
Newcastle, NSW 2300

The symposium will be held at the University of Newcastle’s NUSpace building in the
city campus, located on the corner of Hunter and Auckland St.
Please make your way to Level 5 via the Lifts.
This is an accessible building with ramp access at the rear, accessed via Auckland St.
The nearest light rail is directly opposite at Civic.
There is limited metered on street parking provided by City of Newcastle,
please visit their parking resources online for more information.

If there is an outbreak of COVID or other virus, face masks will be available and hand sterilisers etc will be positioned within easy access in the room and the space outside.

**Registrations close on October 1**
Please note that the organisers need to inform caterers of dietary preferences one
week before the conference, therefore registrations after 26 September may not
be specifically catered for.

Non-member Concession registrants please use discount code AIDIGNSW at checkout
to receive your discount

The AAG NSW Division is funding scholarships for 10 older people
and/or caregivers to attend this event

The scholarship includes free registration and a $20 voucher to help cover travel costs.
Priority will be given to older people and caregivers who live in the Hunter region of NSW.

 **** NOW CLOSED ****
 Please apply by August 31, 2025, using the link below 

in collaboration with:
 


Preliminary program of events: