Find out how artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to improve productivity and reduce risks across multiple sectors at the University’s latest Innovation Series event.
AI Innovation to Impact will be held on Wednesday 22 July at the Eagleworks Innovation Centre, Melbourne Campus (Bundoora). This event brings together industry leaders and La Trobe researchers and students to explore innovative applications of artificial intelligence across agriculture, energy, facilities management and digital technologies.
This special event will also mark the launch of La Trobe University’s Artificial Intelligence Institute, showcasing the University’s commitment to advancing AI in research, education, industry collaboration and delivering real-world impact.
You’ll gain insights into emerging AI capabilities, including AI agents, digital twins and predictive modelling and how these technologies are being applied to improve productivity, performance, planning, compliance and risk management across multiple sectors.
Featured topics
AI Smart Irrigation: Translating University Research into Sustainable Agriculture Impact
- Presented by Kamyar Karimi (Lead Software Engineer, Aglantis) and Dr Kang Han (Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Cisco-La Trobe Centre for AI and Internet of Things)
- Learn how La Trobe and Aglantis partnered to commercialise Australia’s first AI-driven smart irrigation system, delivering measurable reductions in water use, fuel consumption, labour requirements, emissions and nutrient runoff. This is a 2026 Financial Review AI Award-winning collaboration.
AI Agents and Workplace Productivity
- Presented by Sam Saltis (CEO, Core dna) and Dr Shalinka Jayatilleke (Senior Lecturer in AI and Analytics)
- Explore how AI agents are being deployed to automate knowledge work, improve productivity, reduce administrative burden and reshape workflows.
Forecasting Electrically Caused Ground Fire Incidents and At-Risk Days
- Presented by Jessie Nghiem (Data Science Lead, Energy Safe Victoria) and Professor Damminda Alahakoon (Founding Director, Centre for Data Analytics and Cognition)
- Discover how predictive AI modelling is being used to forecast electrically caused ground fires and support risk mitigation across energy networks.
AI-Powered Digital Twins for Business Decision-making
- Presented by Pat Donato (CEO, Cirka) and Dr Nishan Mills (Senior Lecturer, AI and Analytics)
- Learn how AI-powered digital twins are supporting precision costing, workforce planning, service optimisation, compliance monitoring and sustainability outcomes.
What to expect
- Presentations from industry leaders and La Trobe researchers
- Insights into successful university-industry partnerships
- Interactive discussions on real-world AI challenges and opportunities
- Networking with researchers, academics and industry professionals
- Soft launch of La Trobe University’s Artificial Intelligence Institute.
The Industry Innovation Series showcases pioneering research, industry insights and partnership opportunities across key sectors including agriculture, health and wellbeing, biotechnology and digital innovation. The series is designed to support industry professionals, researchers, students, and academics seeking to drive innovation and create meaningful impact.
Event details
AI Innovation to Impact
Date: Wednesday 22 July
Time: 5.00 pm to 7.30 pm (including networking)
Venue: Eagleworks Innovation Centre (Level 2, Jenny Graves Building, Melbourne Campus)
Format: In-person
Cost: Free
Register: Via Eventbrite
For more information about La Trobe Industry initiatives and upcoming events, visit the La Trobe Industry page.