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Episode Summary:

Live from Day 3 of the THETA Conference in Perth, we're joined by Kathleen Mackay, CIO at the University of Tasmania and former Australian CIO of the Year. With two decades of digital leadership experience, Kathleen brings powerful insights into how AI is reshaping the higher education sector - from research to student learning to cybersecurity.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why AI should augment - not replace - humans in education

• The difference between using AI in university operations vs teaching and research

• Preparing students for future roles where AI is embedded in professions like healthcare, law, and engineering

• The potential for AI agents and digital twins to support both students and academic staff

• How UTAS is innovating with cyber escape rooms to make cybersecurity training engaging and memorable

• The need for new commercial models where universities can monetise their research data to train AI models responsibly

Kathleen also shares her thoughts on funding challenges, the role of human mentorship in education, and why free donuts are the ultimate phishing scam.

🎧 Tune in to hear how one of Australia's most forward-thinking university leaders is balancing innovation, responsibility, and humanity in the age of AI.