UNSW's Engineering the Future

Artificial Intelligence is no longer an emerging technology - it is an engineered system actively reshaping how societies operate, produce, and grow. 

Today, engineers are not just building smarter tools; they are designing the foundations of AI-driven infrastructure - from autonomous systems and large-scale data platforms to intelligent networks that adapt, optimise, and learn in real time.  

As AI moves from experimentation to integration, the questions are no longer if it will change the world, but how those changes will unfold - economically, socially, and systemically. What does it mean when intelligence becomes embedded in our energy grids, transport systems, supply chains, workplaces, and cities? What new capabilities are being created - and what second-order effects follow? 

Hear from our speakers:

• The Hon. Victor Michael Dominello (CEO of future and Former Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government)
• Lee Hickin (Executive Director, Australian National AI Centre)
• Sue Keay (Director of the UNSW AI Institute)
• Kavita Mistry (Chief Technology Officer, AMP Services Ltd)
• Toby Walsh (ARC Laureate Fellow and Scientia Professor of AI)

They explore: 

• The real-world future applications of AI 
• What’s emerging beyond the current generation of AI tools 
• How AI-driven infrastructure is transforming productivity, work, and the econom

This is a recording from our Engineering the Future event.

More than one in three Australian households now have rooftop solar, but powering our homes with renewable energy isn’t as simple as putting more panels on roofs. As solar, home batteries and electric vehicles become a part of the electricity system, how do we keep the grid stable, energy affordable and the benefits accessible to everyone? 

In this episode of Engineering the Future, STEM journalist Neil Martin chats with UNSW Associate Professor Anna Bruce about the growing role our homes play in Australia’s energy transition.  

They explore how rooftop solar and household batteries interact with the grid, why renewable energy doesn’t automatically mean lower electricity bills, and how virtual power plants could harness thousands of household batteries to support the wider energy system. 

They also look at one of the transition’s biggest challenges: making sure everyone can benefit. From the barriers facing renters and apartment residents to plug-in solar, smarter buildings and automated energy use, Anna explores what needs to change - and what the Australian home could look like in 20 or 30 years. 

Visit our website for A/Prof. Bruce's bio and a full transcript of the conversation.

Read more of our stories on solar technology for households:

• Testing the next generation of solar panels
• The secret to better solar cells? Think like a baker⁠ 
• ⁠‘Balcony solar’ and plug‑in systems could help cut your energy costs. But only if rules change
• ⁠We can’t air-condition our way out of a hotter future, says UNSW expert⁠ 
• ⁠UNSW technology to help bring solar and battery storage to apartments⁠ 

Let’s connect: 

Don’t miss out on more conversations about the technologies shaping our world. Subscribe to Engineering the Future on your favourite podcast platform and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ to stay up to date with the latest research and news from ⁠⁠⁠UNSW Engineering⁠⁠⁠.  

Acknowledgement of Country 

We would like to show our respects and acknowledge the Bedegal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which our Kensington campus is situated on, and to Elders past and present. 

Australia’s energy system is undergoing one of its biggest transformations in generations. But shifting to renewable energy is about much more than building more solar and wind farms. It also means changing how we power our homes, businesses, transport and industries – while making sure the energy system remains reliable, affordable and accessible.  

In this special episode of Engineering the Future, UNSW Engineering Dean Professor Julien Epps sits down with the Hon Josh Wilson MP, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy and Assistant Minister for Emergency Management, to discuss Australia’s energy transition and the technology, policies and collaboration needed to deliver it. 

From rooftop solar and household batteries to electrification, green industry and climate resilience, they explore the opportunities and challenges ahead as Australia works towards net zero emission targets – and why research, innovation and a skilled workforce will be critical to getting there. 

Visit ⁠our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠ ⁠for more information on the speakers and the full transcript of the conversation. 

Read more of our stories on the energy transition: 

• The secret to better solar cells? Think like a baker 
• ‘Balcony solar’ and plug‑in systems could help cut your energy costs. But only if rules change
• We can’t air-condition our way out of a hotter future, says UNSW expert 
• UNSW technology to help bring solar and battery storage to apartments 
• Can Australia green its heavy industry? It’s hard – but necessary 

Let’s connect: 

Don’t miss out on more conversations about the technologies shaping our world. Subscribe to Engineering the Future on your favourite podcast platform and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ to stay up to date with the latest research and news from ⁠⁠⁠UNSW Engineering⁠⁠⁠.  

Acknowledgement of Country 

We would like to show our respects and acknowledge the Bedegal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which our Kensington campus is situated on, and to Elders past and present. 

Our voices reveal much more than the words we say. They carry clues about our identify, emotions, and even our health. 

In this episode of Engineering the Future, Neil Martin speaks with Associate Professor Beena Ahmed about the rapidly evolving field of speech processing and how technology is learning how to decode the information hidden in our voices. 

From voice assistants and authentication to healthcare and personalised education, they discuss how speech processing is already embedded in our everyday technology – and explore the challenge of distinguishing real voices from increasingly sophisticated AI-generated speech.

Visit ⁠our ⁠website⁠ ⁠for A/Prof. Beena's bio and the full transcript of the conversation. 

Read more of our stories on Telecommunications: 

• Turning speech therapy into child’s play 
• Dr ChatGPT: How AI could help us live longer 
• ChatGPT for medical data? Predicting the future of population health 
• Hey Google, it’s time you listened closely to what our kids are saying 
• Smartphone app to screen for early signs of dementia 

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Let’s connect: 

Don’t miss out on more conversations about the technologies shaping our world. Subscribe to Engineering the Future on your favourite podcast platform and follow us on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ to stay up to date with the latest research and news from ⁠⁠UNSW Engineering⁠⁠.  

Acknowledgement of Country 

We would like to show our respects and acknowledge the Bedegal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which our Kensington campus is situated on, and to Elders past and present. 

Imagine talking to a friend thousands of kilometres away who looks, sounds and feels as though they’re right in the room with you. That’s the promise of 6G: networks that don’t just communicate, they’ll also sense, understand and respond to the world around them. 

In this episode of Engineering the Future, Neil Martin chats with Associate Professor Shaghik Atakaramians about how the next generation of telecommunication will deliver far more than just faster downloads. By combining connectivity with intelligence, future networks could their environment, predict changes and respond in real time. 

Together, they explore how these technologies could enable safer autonomous transport, smarter cities, remote healthcare and education and even life-sized holographic communication. 

Visit our ⁠website ⁠for A/Prof. Atakaramians's bio and the full transcript of the conversation. 

Read more of our stories on Telecommunications: 

• Six things you need to know about 6G 
• ‘Don’t scare the cat!’ Engineers find smarter way to measure quantum systems 
• How ‘digital twins’ could help prevent cyber-attacks on the food industry 
• Quantum technologies aren’t just the future – they’re already here and making an impact
• Reimagining infrastructure through digital twin modelling 

Let’s connect: 

Don’t miss out on more conversations about the technologies shaping our world. Subscribe to Engineering the Future on your favourite podcast platform and follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ to stay up to date with the latest research and news from ⁠UNSW Engineering⁠.  

Acknowledgement of Country 

We would like to show our respects and acknowledge the Bedegal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which our Kensington campus is situated on, and to Elders past and present. 

Demand for electric vehicles is soaring in Australia and around the world. But in 30 years' time, will we still need to charge our cars before hitting the road, or will autonomous vehicles powered by new technologies become the norm?

In this episode of Engineering the Future, STEMM journalist Neil Martin speaks with Richard Hopkins, UNSW Professor of Practice and former Head of Operations for the Red Bull Formula One team, about the advances set to transform the automotive industry. 

From flying cars and smart technologies to cleaner, more sustainable forms of transport, they discuss the trends shaping the future of mobility - and what they could mean for the way we live, work and travel. 

Visit our ⁠website ⁠for Richard's bio and the full transcript of the conversation. 

Read more of our stories on cars:

• Onwards and upwards as Sunswift finishes fifth in Bridgestone World Solar Challenge
• Growing EV popularity is leading to queues at fast chargers. Could a kerbside charger network help? 
• A new ad campaign is pushing Australians to use less petrol. Has this happened before? 
• ‘Blood cobalt’ is disappearing from batteries – and cheaper, cleaner batteries are arriving 

Let’s connect: 

Don’t miss out on more conversations about the technologies shaping our world. Subscribe to Engineering the Future on your favourite podcast platform and follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ to stay up to date with the latest research and news from ⁠UNSW Engineering⁠.  

Acknowledgement of Country 

We would like to show our respects and acknowledge the Bedegal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which our Kensington campus is situated on, and to Elders past and present. 

From improving government services to boosting business efficiency and tackling inequality, artificial intelligence is already transforming the way we live and work.

But could it help reverse Australia's productivity slowdown?

In this episode of Engineering the Future, Dr Sue Keay, director of UNSW’s AI Institute, joins STEMM journalist Neil Martin to explore why Australia must embrace AI to stay competitive and improve living standards. 

They also discuss why developing Australian-made AI would ensure the country benefits from the value it creates while strengthening national sovereignty.

Visit our website for Dr Keay’s bio and the full transcript of the conversation. 

Read more of our stories on productivity:

• Australia is showing how a rich country gets poorer 
• UNSW Sydney lands $3m Defence project to build next generation AI 
• ‘Dangerously unprepared’: UNSW expert says Australia must regulate AI and invest in research 
• Humanoid home robots are on the market – but do we really want them? 

Let’s connect: 

Don’t miss out on more conversations about the technologies shaping our world. Subscribe to Engineering the Future on your favourite podcast platform and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram to stay up to date with the latest research and news from UNSW Engineering.  

Acknowledgement of Country 

We would like to show our respects and acknowledge the Bedegal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which our Kensington campus is situated on, and to Elders past and present. 

Engineering touches almost every aspect of our lives. From building our roads and powering our homes to developing the medical equipment that will help save lives — the demand for engineering skills continues to grow. 

But Australia is facing one of its biggest skills shortages, with more than 60,000 engineers needed over the next decade.

In the latest episode of Engineering the Future podcast, Professor Rita Henderson, UNSW Engineering’s Deputy Dean of Society Impact and Translation, and Kath Richards, Chief Engineer of Engineers Australia, chat with STEM journalist Neil Martin about what it takes to attract and retain diverse talent in engineering. 

From sparking interest in schools to creating flexible, supportive workplaces, they explore how diversity drives innovation and why it’s so important in tackling the world’s biggest challenges.

For the full transcript of the episode and to learn more about our speakers, visit our ⁠⁠⁠website.

Read more of our stories on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at UNSW:

• UNSW’s Gateway shines, as Education Minister announces rise in domestic enrolments 
• Girls in STEMM 2025: Building circuits, racing cars and shaping tomorrow 
• Hands-on engineering hits the road with UNSW Makerbus 
• Meet Keira Moran: Engineering student and co-recipient of the 2025 Inspiring Student Award 
• Honouring excellence: women engineers celebrated as distinguished Ada Lovelace Medal awarded 

Don’t miss out on more conversations about the technologies shaping our world. Subscribe to Engineering the Future on your favourite podcast platform and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠BlueSky⁠⁠⁠ to stay up to date with the latest research and news from ⁠⁠⁠⁠UNSW Engineering⁠⁠⁠⁠.  

Acknowledgement of Country 

We would like to show our respects and acknowledge the Bedegal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which our Kensington campus is situated on, and to Elders past and present. 

For more than a century, quantum mechanics has challenged how we understand the universe. Once confined to theory and thought experiments, quantum is now powering real technologies – and the next 20 years could redefine how we live, work, and connect.

In this episode of Engineering the Future, host Neil Martin speaks with UNSW Associate Professor Jarryd Pla, and Professor Peter Turner from Sydney Quantum Academy, about the breakthroughs and roadblocks of the quantum world. 

From GPS-free navigation and ultra-secure communications to the promise of quantum computing, we reveal where the engineering stands today, what’s coming next, and why Australia is uniquely placed to lead the charge. 

For the full transcript of the episode and to learn more about our speakers, visit our ⁠⁠website.

Read more of our stories on quantum technologies:

• This purple diamond could one day amplify signals from deep space

• How a world record ‘squeeze’ could offer comfort for dark matter hunters

• UNSW engineers help crack key challenge in scaling quantum computers

• This metaphorical cat is both dead and alive – and it will help quantum engineers detect computing errors

Don’t miss out on more conversations about the technologies shaping our world. Subscribe to Engineering the Future on your favourite podcast platform and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠BlueSky⁠⁠ to stay up to date with the latest research and news from ⁠⁠⁠UNSW Engineering⁠⁠⁠.  

Acknowledgement of Country 

We would like to show our respects and acknowledge the Bedegal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which our Kensington campus is situated on, and to Elders past and present. 

Using renewable energy such as wind and solar to create environmentally friendly electricity is great - but what can we do to replace the use of fossil fuels in industrial sectors that can't easily be electrified? 

This can include heavy manufacturing, aviation, maritime transport, and chemical production. These industries need high-density energy or specialised fuels and processes that electricity alone cannot provide efficiently. 

That's where green fuels come in. In this episode of Engineering the Future, UNSW lecturer Dr Emma Lovell and industry expert Constantine Tsounis, join STEMM journalist Neil Martin to explain how they are made and why they are so important. 

They discuss the process of turning renewable resources into biofuels, green hydrogen, biogas, and synthetic fuels to help drive the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions - making decarbonisation possible for even the hardest-to-abate sectors. 

For the full transcript of the episode and to learn more about our speakers, visit our ⁠website.

Read more of our stories on Green Fuels:  

• What is sustainable aviation fuel, and why are we not using it already? 

• UNSW researchers to scale up development of clean aviation fuel thanks to $1.2m TRaCE award 

• Roadblocks still abound en route to decarbonisation of Australia’s freight industry 

• A carbon levy on global shipping promises to slash emissions. We calculated what that means for Australia’s biggest export 

• Scientists use AI to make green ammonia even greener 

  
  

Don’t miss out on more conversations about the technologies shaping our world. Subscribe to Engineering the Future on your favourite podcast platform and follow us on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠BlueSky⁠ to stay up to date with the latest research and news from ⁠⁠UNSW Engineering⁠⁠.  

Acknowledgement of Country 

We would like to show our respects and acknowledge the Bedegal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which our Kensington campus is situated on, and to Elders past and present.