The panel of experts explores the rapidly evolving fields of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. The discussion highlights how these technologies are transforming industries—from life-saving beach safety apps to precision agriculture and disaster management—and emphasises that a career in AI is accessible to anyone with curiosity, regardless of their starting point.

Host: Laura Navarro (STEM Careers Strategy Manager at ATSE)

Moderator: Professor Toby Walsh FTSE (Chief Scientist, UNSW AI Institute)

Guests:

• Dr Vivian (Viv) Roland - Research Scientist at CSIRO and ATSE ICM Agri-Food Award winner
• Sara Mills - Firefighter with Fire and Rescue NSW, PhD Candidate, and Elevate Scholar

1. Non-linear career paths

• Toby [06:09]
• Viv [14:42]
• Sara [25:44]

2. AI for social good: real-world applications

• AI apps developed with Surf Life Saving Australia to identify dangerous rips in real-time [11:37] - UNSW RipEye Project
• Using AI to interpret complex imagery for precision agriculture [16:42] - https://www.csiro.au/en/news/All/Articles/2022/January/hairnet-cotton-breeding.
• AI can be used not just for immediate response, but to help communities recover their mental health and infrastructure faster after bushfires [35:17].

3. Debunking STEM myths

• You don't need to be a professional coder to work in AI [40:34].
• Maths can be a language for problem-solving rather than an enemy [27:21].
• Being the top of the class isn't a prerequisite for success in AI [39:51].

4. Advice for Students & Early Career Researchers [36:54]

• Network and connect with people whose work ignites your spark.
• The importance of asking "why" and backing yourself when unconventional opportunities arise.

"AI and robotics are changing how we live, work, and solve complex challenges everywhere from healthcare to agriculture." - Professor Toby Walsh

"Find your spark, nurture your spark, because that's where the magic happens." - Dr Viv Roland

"Practice makes progress, not perfection. Curiosity should guide you to do hard things because that’s where you find out what you’re made of." - Sara Mills

• STELR Program: ATSE’s national STEM education initiative for schools – www.stelr.org.au
• Elevate Scholarship (atse.org.au/elevate): A leadership scholarship supporting women in STEM, which Vanessa currently holds.
• IMNIS Program (www.imnis.org.au): An industry mentoring network for PhD students.

Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaWGcpaixq0