Government Innovation Week South Australia

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Government Innovation Showcase South Australia

Accelerating Digital Advancement and AI Impact Across South Australia

10 Jun 2026 Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

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Overview

South Australia is entering a pivotal phase in its digital and economic acceleration, and there is much progress to celebrate. Significant investments are underway across the Digital Investment Fund, statewide AI initiatives - including the introduction of the Office for AI, health modernisation, early childhood reform, policing uplift, affordable housing acceleration, and innovation infrastructure.

Across two focused streams—Digital Services, CX & AI Innovation and Tech, Data & AI Integration—attendees will gain insights into how agencies are applying emerging technologies, redesigning services, modernising core systems and strengthening data foundations. Sessions will highlight practical examples of AI in healthcare, human services, policing, planning, agriculture and justice, while examining the cultural and workforce shifts required to support responsible and sustainable adoption.

Our much-loved interactive roundtables will provide space for deeper cross-agency collaboration on critical issues, including emergency response, environmental sustainability, justice system modernisation, research partnerships and workforce capability. These discussions will help align priorities and identify shared opportunities for coordinated transformation.

As South Australia continues building momentum as a national leader in digital government and innovation, this gathering offers a vital platform to connect, learn from peers and shape the next horizon of public-sector progress. Join us to help shape and accelerate the future of public service in the state.

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Who will be there?

Share your case studies and collaborate with peers to ethically guide AI, integrate customer feedback into policy, and lead cross-agency efforts for streamlined, inclusive government services.

Guide ethical AI implementation within government for increased transparency and accountability. Integrate feedback effectively into policy-making through digital platforms.
Lead cross-agency collaborations to boost public service delivery efficiency.
Promote resilient digital infrastructure that supports continuous innovation in public services.
Adopt data analytics for smarter procurement decisions and cost-efficient government operations.
Strategically bridge the digital divide to ensure equitable access to government services.

Discover best practices for implementing predictive analytics, ensuring data security, and the leading AI projects that drive efficiency and optimise service delivery.

Identify when and where to deploy AI: exploring potential areas where AI practices can drive both operational efficiencies and innovations.
Achieve ROI on AI investments: explore how to scale secure AI deployment and generative AI tools into everyday activity
Navigate privacy, regulation & ethics to maintain public trust and adopt responsible and ethical AI practices
Drive responsible, transparent and explainable AI workflows, today and for the future
Accelerate trusted data delivery, continuous monitoring and improvements to harness the full capability of your data and drive AI accuracy and impact
Advance the development and adoption of AI to maximise efficiencies in service delivery and CX

Explore ways to improve digital service accessibility, enhance user-centered design, and engage the public through inclusive and interactive platforms.

Improve digital customer service platforms for a seamless user experience.
Utilise mobile government services to reach underserved communities.
Measure customer satisfaction and use feedback to drive service improvements.
Promote digital inclusivity and accessibility in government services.
Integrate user-centric design into public service platforms.
Enhance engagement through interactive and transparent digital solutions.

Define your strategy for modernisation to achieve agility, resilience and innovation.

Modernise legacy ICT infrastructure to support innovation agility and meet the needs of continued digital advancement
Deliver scaled technology change transformation and unlock ICT as an enabler of change
Build a flexible and adaptive ICT infrastructure to sustain agility and innovation
Implement resilient network, cloud computing, and data centre strategies to strengthen government operations, ensuring scalability and reliability
Unlock the potential of hybrid IT and Cloud and navigate complexities of its roll-out to drive further efficiencies and enhanced service capabilities
Create the foundation to deploy more advanced AI technologies and information management uplift

2026 Featured Speakers

Steve Eatts

Director, Digital Investment Fund, Department of Treasury and Finance

Peter Meere

Director, Office for Artificial Intelligence, Department of Treasury and Finance

Ruth Ambler

Deputy Chief Executive, Department of Human Services

Dan Hughes

Chief Information Officer, Department for Education

Robyn Lindsay

Deputy Chief Executive, Clinical System Support & Improvement, Department for Health & Wellbeing

Shikha Sharma

Chief Information Officer, Department of Human Services

Nikunj Mandlas

Chief Information Officer, Department for Child Protection

Stuart Watt

Chief Information Officer, Department of Primary Industries and Regions

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Tracks at a glance

Digital Services, CX, and AI Innovation

For executives in Digital Services, Customer Experience, and Service Design. Explore how to deliver intuitive, inclusive and citizen-centred services through human-centred design, digital tools, and responsible automation.

This track explores how digital services, customer experience, and artificial intelligence are reshaping the way government engages with South Australians. As citizen expectations continue to rise, SA Government must continue to evolve to provide intuitive, responsive, and inclusive digital experiences.

This track will highlight leading-edge approaches to AI deployment within Education, the impact of major digital and AI investments in health and human services and the successful integration of the Statewide Electronic Patient Record, and how co-design and collaboration are improving CX in social justice.

We will also cover digital inclusion, ethical AI in service delivery, omni-channel engagement strategies, and the role of emerging technologies in lifting public trust. Case studies from across SA Agencies will demonstrate how data-informed design is being used to personalise services, reduce friction, and deliver value at scale.

Technology, Data, and AI Integration

For leaders in Technology, Data, ICT, Architecture and Transformation. Learn how to modernise systems, embed AI, and leverage data to drive smarter, faster and more resilient government operations.

As digital maturity grows across departments, the ability to align technologies with strategic priorities—while ensuring privacy, transparency, and accountability—is critical.

This track delves into the integration of technology, data, and AI across the South Australian public sector, with case specifics being shared on the Finance Reform Program, the $14.9 million investment toward improving the way information and data about families facing complex issues is managed, and how data and AI have been integrated to support real-time decisions, risk management, and operational efficiency across police, agriculture and justice.

We will also explore frameworks for secure data sharing, ethical AI deployment, and inter-agency collaboration, offering a blueprint for scalable, future-ready systems.

View agenda

Why attend?

Actionable Insights

Gain valuable insights from keynotes, case studies, and expert panels. Leave with practical strategies and knowledge to apply directly to your agency’s digital transformation journey.

Fostering Collaboration

Participate in interactive sessions designed to foster collaboration across agencies. Work together on shared challenges, learn best practices, and explore solutions that drive collective impact.

Unmatched Networking

Meet and connect with fellow government leaders, innovators, and industry experts. Build relationships and grow your professional network with peers dedicated to advancing public service.

What your peers had to say

I appreciated hearing real stories from local agencies. It was nice attending a conference where you are not being sold to constantly. I liked the mix of departments and agencies and viewpoints. It was great being able to connect with others from around SA.

Department for Child Protection

Event was very helpful to understand how different branches of SA govt progressing on data and AI goals. Food, hospitality and venue was perfect.

Adelaide University

Phenomenal arrangement of speakers and knowledge base.

Department for Human Services

2025 Sponsors

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Vendors, boost your presence

Becoming a partner at the Government Innovation Showcase South Australia offers unique opportunities to connect with decision-makers, showcase innovative solutions, and align with transformative public sector goals. As a partner, you’ll have access to influential government leaders, providing a valuable platform to demonstrate your expertise and contribute to critical conversations on public sector modernisation.

With a focus on the state’s specific needs, partnership enables you to collaborate directly with key players, co-develop solutions for the state’s challenges, and reinforce your commitment to advancing government services in impactful ways.

Download the 2025 Post Event Report

Rewind: Moments from 2025

GIW SA Innovation Showcase Key Take-Aways

South Australian Leaders Prioritise Transformation, Talent and Data – But Budget and Capability Gaps Remain

As part of the 2025 event, delegates participated in live polling to share their priorities, challenges, and strategies for navigating the future of government. The results provide a valuable snapshot of where public sector leaders are focused — and where the biggest opportunities and obstacles lie.

Public sector leaders are focused on process transformation (24%), workforce upskilling (21%), and data-driven decision making (21%) as top priorities over the next 12–24 months. However, budget constraints (35%) and talent shortages (21%) remain the biggest barriers to fostering a culture of continuous innovation.

When asked about the greatest challenge facing government, the top concerns were economic pressures (38%), followed by workforce capability and retention (26%), and the pace of technological change (21%). To address the talent gap, most agencies are prioritising career development and upskilling (36%), though over a quarter (27%) acknowledge they are not yet actively addressing the issue.

Looking ahead, attendees believe the biggest lever for meeting public expectations is stronger talent attraction and retention strategies (38%), supported by cross-agency collaboration (30%) and workforce upskilling (16%).

View the report

Rewind: Moments from 2025

On demand

Navigating Security Within the Emerging Technology Landscape

At the 2025 event, international keynote speaker Dru Rai shared valuable insights from his experience leading digital transformation and cybersecurity efforts across New York State. His session explored how governments can navigate the risks and opportunities of emerging technologies while building secure, future-ready public services.

Speaker:

Dru Rai, Chief Information Officer & Director, ITS, The State of New York

Watch the session

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