Government does not have an innovation problem. It has a permission problem.

GovAI26 is a one-day working conference for the people shaping how artificial intelligence is used across the Australian Public Service. Hear what is working. See how it is applied. Leave with practical ways to move forward.

Date: October 2026
Venue: National Convention Centre, Canberra
Format: One day, all of government
Convened by: Government & industry leads

Date + Location ·

This October at the National Convention Centre, Canberra.

Why it matters.

Artificial intelligence is moving faster than government frameworks. Capability exists, but is constrained by process, risk, and control. Right now, there is no single place where the practical questions are answered clearly. GovAI26 brings the right people into the same room to do that.

What tools can we actually use today?

A working view of which AI tools are already in production across departments — and which are not yet fit for sensitive workloads.

What are the risks?

Honest discussion of accuracy, bias, security, data sovereignty, and the failure modes worth planning for before deployment, not after.

What is compliant?

How existing frameworks apply, where guidance is still forming, and what good practice looks like under current Australian Government policy.

Where do we start?

A clear path from idea to implementation — sequenced for teams who need to ship outcomes without stepping outside their authorising environment.

The program.

One day, six tracks. Built for working teams, not for spectators. Sessions are designed so you leave with material your team can act on the next morning.

01 — Keynotes

Keynotes

Leading international AI experts on where this is heading and what it means for public sector delivery.

02 — Panels

Panel discussions

Risk, compliance, security, and what government teams can actually use today — under questioning, not under glass.

03 — Workshops

Workshops

Practical hands-on sessions to bring teams up to speed. Free to attend, pre-registration required.

04 — Showcase

AI showcase

Suppliers already working with government, presenting real-world AI solutions that have cleared the bar.

05 — Activations

Activations

Live AI demonstrations across the venue. See what the technology can do, in the room, on the day.

06 — Dinner

Leadership dinner

Senior government, industry, and international keynote speakers. Held under Chatham House Rule. Invitation only.

By invitation

Who attends.

GovAI26 is an all-of-government event. Conference sessions are built for the people shaping how AI is used across the public service — not for general audiences and not for vendors looking for an exhibition.

The room is built for people who carry the decision, not the demonstration. Skeptics welcome.

01 APS executives & senior decision makers 02 EL1 & EL2 staff 03 Digital, IT & transformation leaders 04 Policy & compliance leaders 05 Government contractors & partners 06 APS 4–6 (workshops & showcase)

The AI showcase and workshops are open to all attendees at no cost. Workshop sessions run throughout the day and require pre-registration.

Project leads.

GovAI26 is convened by two operators with deep delivery experience across government and defence — not a conference company looking for the next vertical.