MEDIA RELEASE Extreme Fun! Get ready to Unleash your Disruptive Tech Geek - Queensland AI Hub

MEDIA RELEASE
Extreme Fun! Get ready to Unleash your Disruptive Tech Geek
February 7, 2021: Forget warp drive and wormhole refractors. The greatest show of the galaxy is
about to touch down in Queensland, raising the curtain on good robots, XR ‘time travel’ and the
positive force of artificial intelligence (AI). No TARDIS required.
That’s the promise of Australia’s leading disruptors – Queensland AI Hub, Queensland XR Hub and
Queensland Robotics – teaming up to help supersize a much-needed message of hope, wisdom and
wonder when World Science Festival Brisbane returns next month (24-28 March).
Now in its sixth year, the week-long festival (hosted by Queensland Museum) is the only global
extension of New York’s acclaimed science-meets-art event. For the first time, expanding its popular
‘City of Science’ program beyond South Bank’s cultural precinct.
Importantly, World Science Festival Brisbane’s 2021 theme – ‘Extremes and Adaptations’ – casts a
spotlight on ways transformative technologies, like AI, robotics and extended reality (XR), are
pushing the boundaries of science by expanding and unlocking human potential in an
unprecedented era of global change. Find out more>>
Extending the reach of the festival’s ‘City of Science’ program, Queensland AI Hub, in collaboration
with Queensland XR Hub and Queensland Robotics, is leading a mind-boggling deep dive into
disruptive technologies. The interactive program, suitable for all ages, takes place at Fortitude
Valley’s ‘The Precinct’.
Additionally, Queensland AI Hub is partnering with the Goethe-Institut to deliver thought-provoking
panel discussions on the importance of AI, Culture & Creativity. Of note, in 2020, the Goethe-Institut
in Australia initiated the project Kulturtechniken 4.0 (Creating in the Age of AI) which examines how
AI will change the way we communicate, create and experience our world.
Queensland AI Hub CEO Dr Sue Keay welcomed World Science Festival Brisbane’s recognition of
meaningful ways emerging technologies are pushing the boundaries of science and human resilience.
“What’s exciting is the novel and entertaining way that World Science Festival Brisbane encourages
community-wide participation to help answer the biggest question facing humanity,” Sue said.
“That is, how STEM holds the key to overcoming current and future challenges for the good of all
people and our planet. There’s no question transformative tools, like AI, influence every aspect of
our daily lives and, increasingly, hold the key to allowing us to solve grand challenges that, as
humans, we can’t solve on our own.”
Queensland XR Hub Acting CEO Karen Sanders and Queensland Robotics Executive Chairman
Andrew Scott similarly applauded the festival’s future-focused approach, adding Queensland was a
global growth centre for disruptive technologies.
Karen said: “It's high time for Queensland to make its mark across the globe through the unique
technological talent that exists here. The emergence of various hubs like ourselves (QLD XR Hub),
Queensland AI Hub and Queensland Robotics are fantastic enablers to make this happen.”
Andrew said: “Taking part in World Science Festival Brisbane provides the perfect opportunity to
showcase Queensland’s deep expertise, capability and talent – and, importantly, how these
ecosystems are leveraging off each other.”
/ends.
Queensland AI Hub Media Contact
Shelley Thomas / shelley.thomas@qldaihub.com / 0416 377 444

MEDIA RELEASE
EDITOR’S NOTES:
The following activities will take place during World Science Festival Brisbane 2021 (City of Science
program) at Fortitude Valley’s ‘The Precinct’, where Queensland AI Hub, Queensland XR Hub and
Queensland Robotics are headquartered.

Saturday, 27 March (10am – 2pm)
Cultural Champions in the Age of AI
Presented by Queensland AI Hub in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut

Whether you realise it or not, artificial intelligence (AI) is a constant digital companion, relied upon
for everything from intelligent inboxes to home security, online shopping and entertainment,
healthcare, banking and social media apps. Importantly, AI can only be truly transformative with
people in the loop. All people… from every walk of life and cultural background. Meet a group of AI
cultural champions for two thought-provoking panel discussions on the importance of AI, Culture &
Creativity. For more information or to book your FREE spot, visit: www.worldsciencefestival.com.au

Sunday, 28 March (9am – 4pm)
Unleash your (Disruptive) Tech Geek!
Presented by Queensland AI Hub in collaboration with Queensland XR Hub and Queensland Robotics

This mind-boggling deep dive into ‘disruptive technology’ will keep you on your toes – and firing on
all neurons – whether bopping to the beat of an algo-rave; walking the talk of AI-enabled robots
(think, intelligent bots able to move and respond to your commands); or tapping into the wonder
and wisdom of extended reality (XR) immersions, including everything from ‘time travel’ to tackling
climate change and cancer prevention. Did you know? In the world of transformative technology,
being ‘disruptive’ is a good thing, meaning ‘innovative or ground-breaking’! For more information or
to book your FREE spot, visit: www.worldsciencefestival.com.au

MEDIA RELEASE

The Precinct [315 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley]: You don’t need a DeLorean Time Machine to
venture back to the future. Step inside ‘The Precinct’ – aka Fortitude Valley’s heritage-listed T.C.
Beirne Building and former department store (circa 1902) – and prepare to be WOW-ed by its
transformation into Queensland’s leading brains trust of disruptive innovators, mentors and
entrepreneurs. Easily accessed from Brunswick Street Mall, The Precinct forms a centrepiece of
Queensland Government’s $755 million Advance Queensland initiative.
About Queensland AI Hub
We believe in the humans behind AI. Established in April 2020, as the first technology hub of its kind
in Australia – backed by $5.5m seed funding under the Queensland Government’s landmark $755m
Advance Queensland initiative – Queensland AI Hub exists to cement Queensland’s status as a
national and international leader in AI-enabled social, economic and workplace positive
transformation. We do this by connecting Queensland’s AI ecosystem and championing the AI
community, ensuring the widest collective of stakeholders (AI creators, investors, industry,
government, communities) have the right skills and support to understand and implement AI at
scale. www.qldaihub.com
About Queensland XR Hub
XR or Extended Reality encompasses Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR), and Augmented Reality
(AR). Put simply, XR strives to emulate a physical world through digital or simulated experiences.
While online entertainment and games sectors have been the largest market adopters, use of XR is
expected to rapidly expand across education, defence, construction, real estate, healthcare and
retail. Managed by Real Serious Games, Queensland XR Hub is positioned to support growth and
develop local talent. www.qldxrhub.com
About Queensland Robotics
Formed by a network of robotics companies, in 2019, Queensland Robotics is an industry-led
organisation or ‘cluster’ that supports emerging industrial robotics capability in solving real
challenges across sectors including mining, agriculture, logistics, oil and gas, construction,
manufacturing, forestry, transport, defence and space. The cluster is based in Brisbane, where a
significant concentration of Australia’s robotics capability and talent resides. It is built on an
‘ecosystems model’ and taps into rich robotics networks from around the world. www.qldrobo.org
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