Future Minds at Work: Navigating AI and human potential
Artificial intelligence is reshaping every industry and redefining the skills we need to thrive at work. This session will explore how AI is transforming decision making, leadership and organisational capability, as well as the ethical considerations and human costs that come with rapid technological change. Together, we will examine the skills, mindsets and safeguards required to build a future ready workforce that can partner effectively with intelligent systems.
This in person session will feature a keynote from Professor Joel Pearson, Founder of Future Minds Lab, followed by a fireside chat with Dr Jess Co and a dynamic panel discussion. The conversation will focus on practical and ethical approaches to AI in the workplace and offer clear takeaways to support your future career and leadership journey.
Attendees will leave with a clearer view of how AI is influencing work, what skills remain uniquely human, and how to prepare for the careers of tomorrow.
Speakers
Professor Joel Pearson, Founder, Future Minds Lab
A leading cognitive neuroscientist, Prof Pearson's work examines how humans think, decide and adapt in technology rich environments.
His research on intuition, bias and mental models offers practical insight into how we can work alongside AI with clarity, confidence and ethical awareness.
Dr Jess Co, Department of Management, Monash Business School
Dr Co specialises in future work capability, entrepreneurship education and technology enhanced learning.
She brings a strong focus on how individuals and organisations can build the skills and adaptability needed to navigate rapid change and thrive in evolving workplaces.
Alumni panellists
Our panel brings together Monash Business School alumni working at the forefront of AI enabled decision making, workforce transformation and digital innovation, including:
Laura Parr, Senior Strategy and Insights Manager, Google
Laura leads strategic analysis and insight to inform AI enabled decision making and media planning. She brings a strong understanding of how large technology organisations integrate AI into everyday work and the human skills required to collaborate confidently with intelligent systems.
Michelle Gallaher, Managing Director and Founder, Inverion
Michelle is a leader in health technology and clinical innovation. Her work focuses on the responsible use of data and AI in healthcare, with a strong emphasis on ethics, patient outcomes and human centred decision making in high stakes environments.
Jarrod Magee, Chief Finance Officer, Sapia.ai
Jarrod has a background in scaling SaaS and AI technology businesses, he offers a pragmatic perspective on how AI is transforming workforce decisions, and why responsible governance and human judgment remain critical to unlocking human potential.
Together, the panel will share practical insights into how AI is being used in real workplaces, the human judgement required to guide its use, and the skills and mindsets needed to work confidently alongside intelligent systems.
Organisers
The Monash Business School Alumni Relations team.
Email: mbus-alumni@monash.edu
Event Details
- Date:
- 1 April 2026 at 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
- Venue:
- The Pavilion, Level 8, Building H, Caulfield Campus 900 Dandenong Rd, Caulfield VIC 3162, Australia
- Categories:
- Alumni; General
Description
Artificial intelligence is reshaping every industry and redefining the skills we need to thrive at work. This session will explore how AI is transforming decision making, leadership and organisational capability, as well as the ethical considerations and human costs that come with rapid technological change. Together, we will examine the skills, mindsets and safeguards required to build a future ready workforce that can partner effectively with intelligent systems.
This in person session will feature a keynote from Professor Joel Pearson, Founder of Future Minds Lab, followed by a fireside chat with Dr Jess Co and a dynamic panel discussion. The conversation will focus on practical and ethical approaches to AI in the workplace and offer clear takeaways to support your future career and leadership journey.
Attendees will leave with a clearer view of how AI is influencing work, what skills remain uniquely human, and how to prepare for the careers of tomorrow.
Speakers
Professor Joel Pearson, Founder, Future Minds Lab
A leading cognitive neuroscientist, Prof Pearson's work examines how humans think, decide and adapt in technology rich environments.
His research on intuition, bias and mental models offers practical insight into how we can work alongside AI with clarity, confidence and ethical awareness.
Dr Jess Co, Department of Management, Monash Business School
Dr Co specialises in future work capability, entrepreneurship education and technology enhanced learning.
She brings a strong focus on how individuals and organisations can build the skills and adaptability needed to navigate rapid change and thrive in evolving workplaces.
Alumni panellists
Our panel brings together Monash Business School alumni working at the forefront of AI enabled decision making, workforce transformation and digital innovation, including:
Laura Parr, Senior Strategy and Insights Manager, Google
Laura leads strategic analysis and insight to inform AI enabled decision making and media planning. She brings a strong understanding of how large technology organisations integrate AI into everyday work and the human skills required to collaborate confidently with intelligent systems.
Michelle Gallaher, Managing Director and Founder, Inverion
Michelle is a leader in health technology and clinical innovation. Her work focuses on the responsible use of data and AI in healthcare, with a strong emphasis on ethics, patient outcomes and human centred decision making in high stakes environments.
Jarrod Magee, Chief Finance Officer, Sapia.ai
Jarrod has a background in scaling SaaS and AI technology businesses, he offers a pragmatic perspective on how AI is transforming workforce decisions, and why responsible governance and human judgment remain critical to unlocking human potential.
Together, the panel will share practical insights into how AI is being used in real workplaces, the human judgement required to guide its use, and the skills and mindsets needed to work confidently alongside intelligent systems.
Organisers
The Monash Business School Alumni Relations team.
Email: mbus-alumni@monash.edu