What's next for the Australian Government and AI? A futurists tale

​“From data, to information online and now the knowledge revolution…”

​Join technologist and futurist Marcus Dawe for a wild and energising account of government technology's evolution -from the early days of databases, through the dawn of online government, to today’s AI-powered knowledge systems. Drawing on his decades of hands-on leadership in Canberra’s tech scene, Marcus offers a candid look at how each digital revolution echoes the last and what that means for those building the future now.

​This workshop opens up a space to spot the real patterns behind the hype, explore the emerging knowledge frontier and uncover the practical opportunities to reshape how government works - for the better and for everyone. Expect sharp insights, surprising parallels and big questions about where we’re heading next.

​Marcus Dawe is a Canberra-based technologist, entrepreneur and futurist who has helped shape government technology for over four decades. From building public databases in the 1980s to putting the Australian Government online in the 1990s, Marcus now leads MCi Carbon, a clean-tech company turning CO₂ emissions into industrial materials using AI. He’s known for thinking ahead of the curve - and bringing others with him.

​AI CoLab events are intentionally open and collaborative. We capture photos, audio, and AI-generated transcripts so we can remix key insights for the AI CoLab Alliance community. This is always done in line with the Charter’s values; transparent, ethical innovation and knowledge sharing to accelerate collective learning (see join.aicolab.org). By participating in an AI CoLab event, you agree to your contributions being captured and shared in accordance with this policy.