Professor Toby Walsh, Scientia Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of New South Wales, will Address the National Press Club of Australia on “AI, boom or doom”.
Scientia Professor Toby Walsh is one of the world’s leading researchers in Artificial Intelligence. He is Scientia Professor of Artificial Intelligence at UNSW Sydney and Chief Scientist at UNSW’s AI Institute. He has previously held research positions in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland and Sweden.
Professor Walsh’s work explores the foundations and implications of AI, from automated reasoning and machine learning to the ethical and societal impacts of intelligent systems. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and has been named one of Australia’s “Top 100 Most Influential Engineers.” His research has received multiple awards and is widely cited internationally.
A passionate advocate for responsible AI, Professor Walsh has advised governments, industry, and international organisations on the safe and ethical development of artificial intelligence. He is the author of several books for general audiences, including 2062: The World that AI Made and Machines Behaving Badly, which examine how AI is reshaping work, democracy, security, and daily life.
Professor Walsh is a frequent media commentator and public speaker, known for making complex technological issues accessible and engaging. His work focuses on ensuring AI systems are transparent, accountable, and aligned with human values.
Artificial Intelligence is no longer a distant possibility — it is reshaping our economy, our security, our workplaces, and our democracy in real time.
In this National Press Club address, Professor Toby Walsh examines the rapid rise of AI and what it means for Australia and the world. From generative AI and automation to national competitiveness and regulation, he will explore both the extraordinary opportunities and the significant risks posed by increasingly powerful intelligent systems.
As governments race to harness AI’s economic potential while grappling with its societal consequences, critical questions demand answers: How do we ensure AI systems are safe and trustworthy? What policies are needed to protect jobs, privacy, and democratic institutions? And how can Australia position itself as a leader in responsible AI innovation?
This address will outline the choices we face — and the future we are building.
