What’s happening?
The Queensland AI Hub Townsville Chapter is hosting a sold-out event titled “Rise of the AI Agents – What Can They Really Do?” on Wednesday, 18 June, from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM at Smart Precinct NQ, 143 Walker Street, Townsville. The evening will explore the capabilities, applications, and future of AI agents—systems that can think, plan, and act on behalf of users or organisations.
The event will feature expert presentations from:
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Dr Dianna Hardy, Founder of Deep Data Academy (DDA), who will answer: “What are AI agents and why would I need one?”
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Jodie Sangster, CoFounder of the Australian Centre for AI in Marketing (ACAM), sharing a real-world case study from Accenture
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Wayne Kesino, JCU Business and Information Technology student and DDA intern, explaining how to build an AI agent—from low-code to complex implementations.
Why it matters?
AI agents are no longer just theoretical concepts—they’re already transforming how organisations work. This event sheds light on how these agents make decisions, interact with users, and perform tasks that previously required human intervention. As Townsville expands its innovation capabilities, discussions like these help local businesses and institutions stay ahead of global technology trends.
Local Impact
Held at the heart of Townsville’s innovation ecosystem, the event is bringing together entrepreneurs, developers, researchers, and students. It strengthens North Queensland’s AI ecosystem by connecting people with practical insights and tools to adopt emerging technologies. According to Queensland AI Hub, the goal is to accelerate AI/ML capability, drive productivity, and support economic growth and job creation across the region.
By the numbers:
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Queensland AI Hub is supporting dozens of events annually across the state, with growing attendance in regional chapters like Townsville.
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The event sold out early, reflecting Townsville’s rising interest in AI and digital transformation.
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Over 200 attendees have registered interest, with a waitlist now open for updates on new ticket availability.
Zoom In
During the session, Dr Dianna Hardy will demystify AI agents, explaining how businesses—from small startups to corporates—can leverage autonomous systems for competitive advantage. Her insights will break down key capabilities and potential use cases.
Jodie Sangster will present a case study from Accenture, showcasing AI agents in action within marketing and customer experience workflows. This offers a rare chance to see theory applied in real-world business scenarios.
Lastly, Wayne Kesino will provide an on-the-ground perspective from the next generation of AI practitioners. His talk walks through how to build an AI agent, using both low-code platforms and advanced configurations—providing actionable knowledge for local innovators.
Zoom Out
Events like this reflect Queensland’s broader commitment to being globally competitive in artificial intelligence. Through the QLD AI Hub, the state is linking founders, tech experts, business leaders, government and academia to speed up adoption and encourage collaboration. The Townsville event is just one example of how regional centres are contributing to this national agenda.
What to look for next?
If you missed a ticket, you can still join the waitlist to be notified when new spots open. Meanwhile, the next QLD AI Hub events are expected to roll out across Cairns, Mackay, and Brisbane in the coming months—each focusing on emerging AI technologies and industry applications.
QLD AI Hub is on a mission to grow Queensland’s AI community, drive innovation, and help build a tech-savvy future—one region at a time.
