iTnews State of Data & AI Breakfast 2026 Sydney

AI has moved beyond experimentation and into the boardroom. As organisations seek to unlock business value from artificial intelligence, leaders face growing challenges around scaling AI, governance, security, compliance and data management.

Join iTnews and NEXTDC for an executive breakfast bringing together CIOs, CISOs and senior technology leaders to explore how organisations are turning AI ambition into measurable business outcomes while navigating evolving regulatory, security and operational requirements.

Through expert panel discussions, audience engagement and peer networking, attendees will gain practical insights into enterprise AI adoption, Agentic AI, data sovereignty, compliance frameworks and the strategies required to scale AI successfully.

Complimentary attendance is available for qualified enterprise technology, data and business leaders.

7:45am	Arrival, networking & breakfast Join Australia's leading data, AI and technology executives for breakfast and networking before the formal program begins. Connect with peers, industry leaders and solution providers while discussing the trends shaping the future of enterprise AI.
8:30am	Welcome note, iTnews Velvet-Belle Templeman, Deputy General Manager, iTnews, opens the event with an overview of the trends, opportunities and challenges shaping Australia's rapidly evolving data and AI landscape.
8:40am	Panel 1 - Scaling AI As organisations move beyond experimentation, the challenge is no longer whether to adopt AI but how to scale it effectively. This discussion will explore the strategies, governance frameworks and operational considerations required to deploy AI initiatives that deliver measurable business outcomes.
9:00am	Q&A An interactive discussion where attendees can ask questions and gain further insights.
9:15am	Panel 2 - Agentic AI Agentic AI is rapidly emerging as the next frontier of enterprise innovation. This panel will examine how autonomous AI agents are transforming workflows, decision-making and operational efficiency, while exploring the opportunities and risks associated with enterprise adoption.
9:35am	Q&A An interactive discussion where attendees can ask questions and gain further insights.
9:50am	Panel 3 - Data Sovereignty & Compliance As AI adoption accelerates, organisations are facing growing pressure to manage data securely while meeting evolving regulatory requirements. This discussion will explore data sovereignty, privacy obligations, governance frameworks and the compliance challenges shaping enterprise AI strategies.
10:10am	Q&A An interactive discussion where attendees can ask questions and gain further insights.
10:25am	Closing remarks Velvet-Belle Templeman, Deputy General Manager, iTnews, wraps up the event by summarising the key themes and insights from the morning, highlighting the opportunities and actions organisations should consider as they advance their AI and data initiatives.
10:30am	Networking Drinks & Data Centre Tour Continue the conversation with fellow attendees, speakers and partners before the event concludes. Delegates are also invited to participate in a tour of the data centre.

7:45am	Arrival, networking and breakfast
8:30am	Welcome address by Digital Nation Australia editor – Athina Mallis & commercial editor – Velvet-Belle Templeman
8:45am	Panel 1 – Impact of digital on Marketing/CX + audience Q&A
9:15am	Panel 2 – Impact of digital on HR/EX + audience Q&A
9:45am	Panel 3 – Impact of digital on Finance + audience Q&A
10:15am	Closing remarks & networking
10:30am	Finish

Wednesday, 22nd July

Research Partner:

BUILDING THE FOUNDATION OF ENTERPRISE AI

KEY DISCUSSION THEMES:

FEATURED SPEAKERS:

AGENDA