Future-Ready: Highlights from Beyond the Hype: AI in Industry

Venture UWA
Apr 17
3 min read

According to McKinsey, by 2030, up to 375 million workers may need to make a career change due to automation and AI. This shift is already underway. Recognising the need for students to prepare, Venture UWA organised Beyond the Hype: AI in Industry—an event focused on bridging the gap between university and the evolving world of work.

Designed for students curious about innovation and future careers, the event delivered practical advice, expert insights, and tools to help you build your readiness for an evolving job market.

Why the Event Was Held

With AI adoption growing in businesses, graduates need more than academic knowledge. They need practical skills and the confidence to use emerging tools. The event was created to help students:

Understand how AI is used in industry
Build familiarity with current tools
Explore career paths shaped by technology

Speakers included

Dan Stinton (CEO at HealthEngine) – LinkedIn An executive with experience in technology scale-ups and corporate strategy across a broad range of industries and commercial models, including digital health, digital media, SaaS, online marketplaces and e-commerce.
Sean Oldenburger (Director at AI Advancements) – LinkedIn
Sean is the Director of AI Advancements, a Perth-based AI consultancy that has empowered multiple organisations to lead in artificial intelligence through strategic guidance, training, and the development of innovative solutions. With a background in Applied Mathematics and years of hands-on AI research, he is a recognised expert in computer vision and language models. Sean combines deep technical expertise with practical experience, helping businesses stay ahead in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
Nadia Reyhani (AI Product Engineer at Trusst AI) – LinkedIn Senior AI Product Engineer - Trusst AI
Joshua J Morely (Global Head of AI, Data and Analytics at The Adecco Group) - LinkedIn Joshua J. Morley GAICD is a globally recognized thought leader in AI, data & technology. Currently, Joshua serves multiple roles including the Global Head of AI, Data & Analytics at Akkodis with >1500 people in his global practice, an advisory board member for "College of Professional Studies at University of Denver" and is a distinguished lecturer across international industry bodies and a number of prestigious universities.
As a passionate advocate for responsible AI sits as one of 16 executives on Fortun 500, the Adecco Group's Global Responsible AI Committee, driving responsible and ethical governance practices at scale. A sought-after speaker and recipient of multiple global awards, Josh champions diversity, inclusion, and neurodiversity in tech and innovation. His mission is to harness AI for the benefit of humanity and to make a profound positive impact on the world.

Each brings industry insight and advice on preparing for the future of work.

Key Highlights

Panel discussions tackled key themes:

“Technology is not the limitation—people’s ability to leverage it is.” – Dan
“Critical thinking and communication are your edge in an AI world.” – Josh

Hands-on sessions introduced tools already being used by students and professionals:

ChatGPT – For research, planning, and writing support
SciSpace – To simplify and summarise academic papers
Grammarly – Enhancing written communication
Tripnotes & Perplexity – Research and organisation tools
Notebook LM – Helping students summarise lecture content

What Students Said

🎤 “Using Gemini and ChatGPT has made study feel more manageable.”

🎤 “The panel helped me understand how to apply these tools in real-world settings.”

Key Takeaways

Start using AI tools now – Build confidence and fluency
Think critically – Understand the limits of what AI can do
Stay curious – Follow industry developments and test new tools
Build communication skills – These remain highly valued both for students and AI
Be ethical – Use AI responsibly and understand its impact