​Step into the future of artificial intelligence at the NextGen AI Conference 2025, hosted at Melbourne Connect. This half-day gathering at the University of Melbourne brings together some of the brightest minds shaping the next wave of AI innovation, research, and entrepreneurship.

​The afternoon opens with a keynote from Eduard Hovy, Executive Director of Melbourne Connect, who will share his vision for AI’s evolving role in society and industry. Following the keynote, a panel of industry leaders will dive into the practical challenges and opportunities facing AI today. Hear firsthand from Ran Sun (AI Consulting Group), Peter Xing (Microsoft), Kirsty Purcell (Canva), Sam Richardson (Butter), Buddhi Jayatilleke (Sapia.ai), and Fina Xue (NexusMD.ai) as they discuss everything from ethical deployment to scaling AI in real-world applications.

​For those interested in the startup scene, don’t miss the dynamic pitch session judging panel Raaj Rayat (Airtree), Lee Lagdameo (Antler), Connie Ren (Asian Investor Club), Eric Gao (BMYG Financial Group), and Alan (Can) Cui (Boson Ventures). If you’re building something new in AI, you can even register to pitch your own startup and get feedback from top investors—just follow the registration link provided.

​The energy continues with a showcase of hackathon winner demo, where emerging founders and teams present their latest AI-driven solutions. Expect to see innovative ideas judging from Tick (Lewei) Jiang (NUVC.ai), Timothy Wang (Deloitte), Lightman Wang (JR Academy), and Henry Yang (ACASE).

​Whether you’re deep in the AI field or just curious about where the technology is heading, this conference is packed with insights, real-world stories, and opportunities to connect with those driving change. Join us at Melbourne Connect for an afternoon of inspiration, learning, and forward-thinking conversation.

​Agenda

​Introduction
14:00-14:30

​Tim Tso | MC of the Conference

​Founder & President of Cambridge Homerton EdTech Society

​Daisy Liu | MC of the Partnership

​Founder & Honorary President of AI Development Group

​Keynote
14:30-15:00

​Eduard Hovy


​EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MELBOURNE CONNECT


​Panel Discussion
15:00-16:00

​RAN SUN
- Strategic Consultant | Data & AI Partner
AI Consulting Group


​PETER XING
- Cloud & AI Specialist - Education
of Microsoft


​KIRSTY PURCELL
- Engineering Manager at Canva


​SAM RICHARDSON
- Founder & CEO - Butter


​BUDDHI JAYATILLEKE
- Chief Data Scientist - Sapia.ai


​FINA XUE
- Cofounder & Partnership Lead - NexusMD.ai


​Startup Pitch
16:00-17:30

​Six AI Startup

​Archiva AI

​Meddcom

​Senstribe

​Fableration

​Jobpin

​CareGP

​Judges

​RAAJ RAYAT
- Investor at Airtree


​LEE LAGDAMEO
- Senior AI Investor at Antler

​ALAN (CAN) CUI
- Managing Partner - Boson Ventures

​CONNIE REN
- Co-Founder & Director - Asian Investor Club


​ERIC GAO
- Founder and CEO - BMYG Financial Group


​Hackathon Demo Showcase 17:30-18:00

​Judges

​TIMOTHY WANG
- Senior Manager - Deloitte


​LIGHTMAN WANG
- Founder & CEO - JR Academy


​HENRY YANG
- CEO - ACASE

​Networking 18:00-19:00

​Drinks provided

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​Cohosts

​Sponsors

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​Collaborators

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