AI in action: real stories and lessons from the Victorian Public Sector

John Batho is Deputy Secretary, Digital and Government Services, with responsibility for driving policy, strategic direction and stakeholder engagement for the Government Services portfolio, and providing leadership to strengthen and grow the digital transformation agenda across the Victorian Public Service.

Prior to helping establish the Department of Government Services, John was Deputy Secretary, Consumer Affairs, Liquor, Gaming and Dispute Services in the Department of Justice and Community Safety. In this role, John led Victoria’s consumer affairs regulator, dispute services functions and led the development and implementation of important Casino, gambling and liquor regulatory reforms.

John also has experience as Acting Deputy Secretary, Fairer Victoria in the Department of Premier and Cabinet, where he led whole-of-government initiatives to promote diversity, fairness and inclusion. Earlier in his career, John held a variety of roles in the Victorian Public Service, spanning social policy, legal, governance, intergovernmental relations and industrial relations.

Justin is the Chief Technology Officer for the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS), with responsibility for the department’s information technology and cybersecurity functions, including technology policy, strategy, program delivery, and operations. Initially joining the Victorian Public Service in 2002, Justin has held senior technology leadership roles in the public transport, emergency services, and courts sectors before joining DJCS in 2023.

Justin’s focus is on harnessing technology to deliver positive and sustainable benefits, working with business units to ensure that technology is a genuine business enabler and that technology investments achieve an organisational return, with a particular focus on Artificial Intelligence and its potential benefits for the department and its employees.

Emily is the Chief eHealth Strategy Officer at the Victorian Department of Health, where she plays a pivotal role in shaping the long-term digital investment strategy for the state’s health system. A current focus is harnessing the potential of artificial intelligence and strategically navigating unprecedented technology advancement.   

With a background in computer science and information systems, Emily has spent her career at the intersection of digital innovation and healthcare. She has held diverse roles across the sector, including digital health research at Stanford University and Hospital, developing and implementing technologies in hospital settings in Victoria, serving as a futurist in EY’s global health team working with health organisations worldwide, and advising the New Zealand Government under Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on digital health strategy. Emily is inspired by the power of digital to reimagine healthcare – enabling a future where every Victorian can access personalised, predictive, and preventative care, anytime and anywhere. 

Dr. Elea Wurth is the Lead Partner for Trustworthy AI, Asia Pacific, with over two decades of advanced analytics experience. She shapes ethical, legally sound, and technically rigorous AI governance strategies for major institutions, guiding public and private sectors through AI risk, governance, and regulation. A pioneer in AI governance, Elea has led high-impact projects across industries including government, financial services, telecom, transport and energy. She advised the Robodebt Royal Commission and led Deloitte’s submissions on Safe and Responsible AI and Mandatory Guardrails for High-Risk AI. Elea helps boards and executives balance risk and innovation, building resilient AI governance frameworks amid fast-changing regulations. Beyond Deloitte, she is a regular conference speaker and Guest Lecturer at the University of Sydney’s Business School, teaching AI risk in its AICD-endorsed AI Fluency course which is recommended by the AFR for business leaders.

Kate Fraser is an accomplished leader with experience across public, private and not-for-profit sectors. She specialises in leadership, learning and organisational capability, with a strong focus on transforming workforce performance and service delivery. Known for bringing clarity and momentum to complex programs, Kate takes a strengths-based, people-centred approach. She has led award-winning initiatives that build high-performing teams and is passionate about showcasing public sector excellence to improve outcomes.