As we hurtle headlong towards the metaverse and the next great evolution of the digital age, this session brings together global experts to explore what we can learn from Web 2.0 when it comes to preventing online harms. What is the tech industry doing to prevent – or perpetuate – these risks, from disinformation and online hate and abuse to child sexual exploitation? How is safety prioritised versus profit? And how could these risks be supercharged through generative AI and immersive tech? The answers are often hidden deep inside Big Tech conglomerates, along with potential solutions. If sunlight is the best disinfectant, then shining a light on what tech companies are doing to protect their users is critical to accountability. But meaningful transparency has so far been elusive. Enter the whistleblowers, advocates, academics, journalists and regulators who are calling out these issues and developing strategies to drive lasting change. Join Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, Queensland University of Technology Professor Nic Suzor and Reset Australia children’s policy director Dr Rys Farthing, as they lift the lid on Big Tech’s role in online harms and examine ways these risks can be reduced in the future.

We’re at a point in time when AI can effortlessly craft enthralling stories, compose stirring symphonies, and designs breathtaking masterpieces. However, this world is more vulnerable than ever to complications caused by deepfakes, misinformation, and privacy breaches. Generative AI holds immense potential, but with great power comes great responsibility. In this exhilarating talk, AI leader and Accenture’s global AI solutions lead Noelle Russell, will delve into the crucial intersection of innovation and ethics, revealing how to maximize the benefits of generative AI while minimizing its risks. Russell discusses the latest advancements in generative AI, showcasing awe-inspiring applications that demonstrate its revolutionary impact on creativity and problem-solving. But where there's a light, there's a shadow. She also shows audiences the other side of the AI coin — confronting pressing concerns such as fake content, bias, and ethical dilemmas.

Every wondered why humans on the other end of the phone need to access systems and perform tasks for you? What if AI could support new levels of customer experience, predict & understand your needs, and provide a dramatic improvement to our services, from airlines, banking, telco to government? How could virtual assistants use Large Language Models to uncover hidden business knowledge while focusing on user agency and privacy? Can virtual assistants embed fairness and safety for consumers as standard? Can augmented reality support customers in the moment to get things done and achieve higher levels of customer satisfaction. In this panel you will be joined by experts from consumer advocacy, responsible AI, data privacy & ethics & virtual assistants. If you are a digital professional and wish to use AI to improve customer experience join us to discuss the opportunity.