The AI Innovation Summit Australia–USA marks the ninth event in the International AI Innovation Summits Series, organised by Innovate Australia in Perth. Each summit in the series focuses on strengthening innovation relationships between Australia and a partner nation, bringing together entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, industry leaders, and policymakers.
Rather than focusing only on artificial intelligence as a technology, the summit is about people, collaboration, and real-world innovation. It creates an open and engaging environment where participants can exchange ideas, share experiences, and explore opportunities for practical partnerships between Australia and the United States.
This edition highlights some of the most exciting areas where AI is transforming industries. Presentations from the United States explore innovation in space exploration through AI research at NASA, new creative possibilities emerging in Hollywood through AI-enhanced storytelling, and the future of robotics investment and commercialization.
From the Australian side, speakers will showcase groundbreaking work including robotic construction technology capable of building houses brick by brick, neuromorphic computing through BrainChip’s revolutionary AI processors, and advanced visual communication technologies that are transforming how people collaborate across distance.
The summit provides a space to discuss how innovation ecosystems develop, how talent and ideas move across borders, and how partnerships between startups, corporations, universities, and investors can lead to real-world outcomes.
Hosted in Perth by Innovate Australia, the AI Innovation Summit Australia–USA aims to strengthen cooperation between the two countries while showcasing Western Australia as an emerging hub for global AI innovation.
Special Guest
Lord Mayor Councillor Bruce Reynolds
Cr Bruce Reynolds is the 19th Lord Mayor of the City of Perth, bringing to the role more than 30 years of business and community experience in the heart of the city. A long-time Perth business owner, he is the founder of Crush Creative, established Crush Realty, and also operates Braddock’s Dispensary in Northbridge. Before becoming Lord Mayor in 2025, Bruce served as a City of Perth councillor and later as Deputy Lord Mayor. He has also contributed extensively to the community through Rotary and the not-for-profit sector. His leadership focuses on safety, civic renewal, and strengthening Perth’s future.
MC / Moderator
Peter Kasprzak, Chairman, Innovate Australia
As the Chairman of Innovate Australia, Peter Kasprzak is dedicated to promoting innovation and entrepreneurship. With decades of experience in various industries, Peter is passionate about connecting people and ideas to drive positive change. An enthusiastic user of AI, particularly ChatGPT, Peter appreciates its cutting-edge innovation but also advocates for responsible and ethical use to address potential concerns.
Presenters
Colleen Altstock – U.S. Consul General in Perth
Colleen Altstock is the United States Consul General in Perth, serving as the most senior U.S. government representative in Western Australia. A career Foreign Service Officer with more than two decades of diplomatic experience, she previously served as Economic and Political Section Chief at the U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai. Her overseas postings include Beijing, Shenyang, and Astana, Kazakhstan. In Washington, D.C., she held senior roles covering Chinese affairs, Russian affairs, and global issues. Originally from Seattle, she holds degrees in International Studies, Economics, and Asian Studies from the University of Washington. Consul General Altstock is committed to strengthening U.S.–Australia cooperation.
Mark Pivac, Executive Director & Chief Technical Officer, FBR Limited
Mark Pivac is Executive Director and Chief Technical Officer of FBR Limited (ASX:FBR), an Australian robotics company pioneering automated bricklaying technology for the global construction industry. An aerospace and mechanical engineer with more than 30 years of experience, Mark is the primary inventor of FBR’s Dynamic Stabilisation Technology (DST™), which enables robots to operate with high precision in outdoor environments. Under his technical leadership, FBR developed the Hadrian X construction robot designed to transform how buildings are constructed. Mark has received numerous international innovation awards and is widely recognised for his work in robotics, advanced engineering, and technology commercialisation. He holds an engineering degree from RMIT University.
Michael Harries, Partner, The Robotics Hub VC
Michael Harries is a partner at The Robotics Hub VC, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a specialist early-stage investor focused on advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, and deep-tech commercialization. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, he works with innovators building new markets through robotics and AI technologies. Michael previously served as CTO of AI startup Kyndi and spent over a decade at Citrix, where he helped establish the Citrix Startup Accelerator and supported dozens of emerging technology companies. He is also a mentor at the Creative Destruction Lab, one of the world’s leading deep-tech accelerators. Michael holds a PhD in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning from the University of New South Wales.
Esther Oh, Founder and CEO, Agili8
Esther Oh is the Founder and CEO of Agili8, a Perth-based technology company delivering AI and extended reality solutions that improve productivity, efficiency, and safety across industries. With more than 30 years of executive, entrepreneurial, and global IT implementation experience, she is a recognised leader in digital transformation, innovation, and business strategy. Esther has received multiple awards, including Australia’s Most Innovative Startup of the Year 2024 and the AmCham Alliance Award in Artificial Intelligence. A frequent speaker at major conferences, she is passionate about using emerging technologies to save lives, transform frontline work, and create better outcomes for future generations.
Colin Brady, President , Sister Moon Animation Studios
Colin Brady is President of Sister Moon Animation Studios and a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. An acclaimed animator, director, and technology innovator, his career spans some of the most influential studios in modern filmmaking, including Pixar, Industrial Light & Magic, and Lucasfilm Animation. A graduate of the California Institute of the Arts, Colin contributed to groundbreaking films such as Toy Story, Toy Story 2, A Bug’s Life, Hugo, and The Hunger Games. He has collaborated with visionary filmmakers including Steve Jobs, Steven Spielberg, Ang Lee, and Martin Scorsese, and today pioneers AI-enhanced animation workflows that keep human creativity at the center of storytelling.
Peter van der Made, Founder and Director, BrainChip Holdings Limited
Peter van der Made is the founder and director of BrainChip Holdings Limited, a pioneering company in neuromorphic computing and edge artificial intelligence. Based in Western Australia, he has spent decades advancing spiking neural network technology designed to mimic the learning processes of the human brain. Peter led BrainChip from its early beginnings in Perth to its development as a globally recognised AI innovator, with the Akida neuromorphic processor becoming a breakthrough in low-power, real-time machine learning. Before BrainChip, he developed advanced computer immune systems for cybersecurity. His work continues to focus on brain-inspired computing and next-generation intelligence.
Ignacio G. López-Francos, AI Research Lead, NASA Ames Research Center
Ignacio G. López-Francos is an AI Research Lead at NASA Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley, working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, robotics, and autonomous systems for space exploration. His work focuses on developing intelligent robotic systems for missions to the Moon and Mars, including autonomous navigation, robotic manipulation, anomaly response, and AI-driven decision support for astronauts operating far from Earth. Ignacio has contributed to several advanced research programs within NASA’s Intelligent Systems Division and has supported robotic exploration initiatives such as lunar and planetary rover missions. He studied artificial intelligence and deep learning at the University of California, Berkeley and works on advancing embodied AI for future space missions.
The presentations will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by Peter Kasprzak, Chairman of Innovate Australia.
