AI & Edge Computing Meetup: Melbourne Kick-Off Night

Melbourne's first AI & Edge night – talks, open mic & connections over pizza.

** Important: Please grab your free Eventbrite ticket here to attend. **

A special thanks to Monash University for hosting us, with recognition to Monash Connected Autonomous Vehicle (MCAV) – a student-led engineering team advancing connected autonomous vehicle and intelligent transport technologies through vehicle and sensor hardware, forward-thinking algorithm development, and simulation.

Pizza and drinks for this session are kindly provided by Avnet – a leading global technology solutions provider and electronics distributor with expertise in IoT, embedded systems, and beyond.

Agenda:

5:30 – 6:00 pm | Pizza, Networking & Demos
Settle in with pizza and drinks, meet fellow attendees, and check out a few demos in the space.

6:00 – 6:25 pm | Talk 1 – Industrial AI at the Edge: Driving Smarter, Faster, Connected Operations

• Speaker: Jannat Maqbool, Strategic Advisor at Y5; Co-Chair, Trusted Technology & Data Program, IoT Alliance Australia
• Overview: In manufacturing, logistics, energy, and other industrial sectors, the competitive edge increasingly lies at the edge, where AI is embedded directly into machines, sensors, and production environments. This talk explores how edge AI is transforming industrial operations by enabling real-time decision-making, predictive maintenance, quality control, and operational optimisation without relying solely on the cloud. Jannat will share practical examples, integration challenges, and the strategic advantages for industrial businesses that embrace AI at the edge.

6:25 – 6:50 pm | Talk 2 – Vision at the Edge: Enhancing Human Mobility Understanding in Real Time

• Speaker: Matthew Willaton, Lab Manager at Monash Smart Infrastructure Lab; Mechatronics Engineer
• Overview: This talk delves into the use of computer vision on edge devices to analyse human mobility in real time, enabling transformative applications across public safety, industry, and care environments. From adaptive fire evacuation systems to quality inspection in public spaces and manufacturing, edge-based mobility sensing enhances responsiveness and operational intelligence. In aged care and disability support, smart sensors empower independent living while enabling timely intervention. By processing data locally, these systems minimise data transmission, support privacy compliance, and foster trust in environments where human dignity and autonomy are paramount.

6:50 – 7:15 pm | Talk 3 – AMD: Powering AI and Compute from Cloud to Edge

• Speaker: Eu Geen Chew, Field Applications Engineer at AMD
• Overview: This talk will provide an overview of AMD and the core technologies that enable everyday AI experiences – from scalable cloud deployments to edge-optimised computing platforms.

7:15 – 7:40 pm | Talk 4 – Questions, Answers, and Testing in AI: Pushing for Fairness and Human-Value Alignment

• Speaker: Vikas Joshi, Founder & CEO, Test-Fast; Former Test Manager, Woolworths Group
• Overview: Attendees will explore how QA is not just about accuracy, but about aligning AI with fairness, transparency, and responsibility – making it both a technical task and a moral stewardship. Without such alignment, systems risk amplifying bias, making opaque decisions, or being misused in ways that cause real-world harm. By weaving ethical considerations into QA, we can proactively identify and mitigate these risks, ensuring that AI outcomes are not only correct but also safe, trustworthy, and aligned with human values.

7:40 – 8:00 pm | Community Open Mic & Wrap-Up
Bring a demo, prototype, current project, or quick shout-out. Whether it's in AI, hardware, embedded systems, or anywhere in between, jump in to share with the group. Stay on for final questions and chats as we wrap up the night.

About the AI & Edge Computing Meetup
Launched in Sydney and now expanding city by city, we're growing a hands-on community where developers, engineers, founders, academics, and curious minds come together to explore real-world AI at the edge.

We're actively building the Melbourne chapter – if you're interested in helping shape future events as a co-organiser, just reach out to the organiser on Meetup.