AGM keynote recap
AI adoption lessons from the frontline
Steve was the keynote speaker at the Compressed Air Association of Australasia's 2026 AGM, presenting to members from across Australia and New Zealand on the growth opportunities generative AI creates and how leaders can balance that growth against innovation and risk.
Compressed Air Association of Australasia · 2026 AGM · St Leonards, presented online · 17 September 2026
The AGM ran online, with members joining from across Australia and New Zealand. Right: the opening slide of Steve's keynote.
About the Compressed Air Association
Compressed air is an often unseen but essential industrial utility, providing safe, reliable and controllable power across mining, manufacturing, construction, food and beverage, healthcare and many other parts of the Australian economy.
The CAAA brings together suppliers and manufacturers across Australia and New Zealand, supporting the industry through advocacy, safety and quality leadership, education, regulatory guidance and industry data.
Key takeaways
Generative AI is a growth conversation, not just an efficiency one
It's important to view generative AI as providing an opportunity to create new growth for member businesses, rather than purely as a cost-cutting exercise.
Lessons drawn from more than 50 Australian implementations
Steve shared the patterns that separate the enterprises getting value from AI in their operations from the ones still stuck at the demo stage.
Move beyond experimentation
Pilots are easy, operational change is not. The session covered what it takes to get AI out of the sandbox and into the way the business actually runs.
Manage rising risk without shutting down innovation
Boards and leadership teams carry the load of managing increasing levels of AI risk while still enabling their people to innovate, and the session covered how to hold both at once.
What attendees said
"I personally very much enjoyed your presentation. The members in attendance were still discussing your presentation in the following board meeting!"
CAAA attendee
"We greatly appreciate you taking the time to join us and for sharing your insights with our members. With AI continuing to evolve at such a rapid pace, your presentation was particularly timely."
CAAA AGM organiser
Read Steve's recap of the event
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