The next instalment of the People and Planet: FHES Seminar Series is titled Our AI Future. 

The free event is taking place on 23 October 2025 at AUT North Campus. Everyone is welcome.

About Our AI Future

Join Abby Dowd, AUT's Director of AI Strategy and Transformation, as he discusses how artificial intelligence is changing the future of education. Professor Brett Cowan, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, will host the session. This hour-long fireside chat looks into how AUT plans to utilise AI on campus to support staff and ensure the responsible use of this powerful technology. It is also an excellent opportunity to learn about AI’s possibilities and how AUT is adapting to this digital change. 

About our guest speaker:

Formerly the Deputy Chief Technology Officer for ICT Services, Abby Dowd, now AUT's Director of AI Strategy and Transformation, is spearheading the creation of AUT’s new AI Acceleration Centre (AIAC) and working to realise the goals outlined in AUT's Our AI Future strategy. AIAC aims to enhance AUT’s capabilities in artificial intelligence across teaching, research, and operations, while also building partnerships with external organisations to position AUT as a leader in the responsible use of AI. 

Event details

Date: Thursday, 23 October 2025
Time: 11 am 
Venue: AF113/A @ AUT North Campus, 90 Akoranga Drive

About People & Planet 

People & Planet is a series of seminars organised by the Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences. The seminars are designed to encourage the exchange of ideas among scholars, academics, and community members, both within and beyond the faculty. The topics selected for discussion will be engaging and relevant to a broad audience, ensuring that all staff and students feel welcome to participate.