Overview
As the Victorian Government accelerates its AI and data infrastructure ambitions, including initiatives to position Victoria as a national hub for data and digital innovation, every public-sector leader must be equipped to lead confidently in this evolving landscape. Modern AI technologies, including large language models (LLMs), retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and agentic AI, are transforming government operations — from policy development and case management to HR, ICT, and procurement workflows.
This in-person program is designed specifically for Victorian Government leaders, providing a structured, hands-on journey: understand AI, navigate challenges, plan strategically, and act confidently. Participants will explore AI governance, ethical use, workforce readiness, and cyber risk mitigation, while applying practical tools to assess initiatives, engage stakeholders, and create actionable AI roadmaps.
With AI set to touch every aspect of government operations, this is the leadership course every Victorian Government leader needs to upskill and confidently navigate an AI-enabled future.
Who Should Attend?
Victorian Government executives, directors, and senior managers | Policy and program leaders shaping digital and AI strategy | CIOs, CDOs, digital and data leaders | HR, workforce, and organisational transformation leaders.
In-person Training
AI for Public Sector Leaders: Strategy, Governance & Action
Session details
- Understand modern AI (LLMs, RAG, agentic AI) well enough to lead, not just observe
- Recognise and manage the ethical, regulatory, workforce and cyber risks unique to government AI
- Collaborate more effectively with CIOs, data teams and vendors using a shared language and concrete tools
- Identify the right AI use cases and avoid hype-driven or high-risk dead-ends
- Prepare your workforce and organisation for AI-enabled ways of working
- Leave with a practical, governed AI action plan tailored to your department
AI for Public Sector Leaders: Strategy, Governance & Action
22 May 2026
TBC, Victoria
No technical background required – just responsibility for strategy, risk, services or people.
Key Sessions
Welcome & Context
- Program introduction, objectives, and outcomes
- Positioning AI in the Victorian Government context
- Overview of the day
The AI Era & Rise of Agentic AI
- Evolution: chatbots → copilots → AI that can act
- Implications for policy, HR, ICT, procurement, and service delivery
- Activity: Pain Points & Opportunities mapping (departmental focus)
- Plain-language explanation of LLMs, RAG, and agentic AI
- Risks of hallucination and mitigation via RAG and governance
- Activity: “Which Answer Would You Approve?”
- Balancing innovation with accountability and public value
- Understanding AI unknowns and emergent behaviour
- Activity: Public Value Check (mini-case review)
- Key AI cyber risks and mitigation strategies
- Threat → Control mapping activity to create a departmental checklist
- Aligning AI initiatives with ethical frameworks, legislation, and workforce obligations
- Activity: Framework Lens (evaluate AI use case against ethics, regulation, workforce impacts)
- AI steering/oversight models, roles, approvals, and use case lifecycle
- Activity: Design Your Governance Loop
- Identifying high-value, low-risk opportunities
- Activity: Use Case Canvas & Impact vs Risk prioritisation
- Exec ↔ tech collaboration role-play
- Personal and team commitments to adopting AI in daily workflows
Closing & Next Steps
- Complete 6–12 month AI roadmap & 90-day action plan
- Summary: leading AI-enabled departments in Victoria
Meet Your Facilitator
Waqas Khan
Data & AI Leader Driving Organisational Transformation | Expert in AI Governance, LLMs, Agentic AI, RAG, Data Engineering & Scalable Advanced Analytics
Waqas Khan is a data and AI leader with strong expertise in Large Language Models, agentic systems and Retrieval-Augmented Generation. Currently completing a PhD in Artificial Intelligence at RMIT University, he focuses on trustworthy and explainable AI, bringing cutting-edge research into real-world government and industry applications. He has led major analytics and modernisation initiatives, including a cloud-native procurement platform for the Department of Government Services that significantly improved visibility, governance and decision-making.
With a solid foundation in cloud data platforms, AI-enabled systems and data governance, he delivers scalable architectures that uplift operational performance and support strategic decision-making. He is known for building high-performing teams, advising senior executives on data and AI strategy and driving capability uplift across organisations. Passionate about responsible and future-focused AI, he is committed to helping organisations navigate an increasingly intelligent landscape
Register Today
Join this training for professionals working within the Public Sector
Extra Early Bird
Ends 6 Mar
$A 995
per person + tax $400 savingEarly Bird
Ends 17 Apr
$A 1195
per person + tax $200 savingRegular
Ends 21 May
$A 1395
per person + taxFor group or payment enquiries or custom training solutions, please contact [email protected]
Customised in-house options available for teams
Interested in any of our online trainings?
You can also choose to have them delivered in house. We will work closely with our inspiring session facilitators to tailor the content around the key development areas your team are prioritising, shape the learning outcomes around your core departmental challenges and make the most of your L&D and upskilling budget.
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