The Future
Tech Collective

Technology is changing our world. Events where smart people come together to ponder how.

Tuesday 26th November 2024

Speakers & Talks

Marguerite Pettit

Communications Lead
Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation

  • Marguerite is a strategic communications specialist with over 15 years’ experience working across government, NGO, private and philanthropic sectors. She has worked on climate change communications and campaigns in Australia and New York where she lived for nine years. She is passionate about nature conservation and spends her spare time doing classical ballet.

  • Fifteen years ago most people were not thinking or talking about climate change, and yet today the concept is widely understood and the various policy solutions from transitioning our energy systems to addressing biodiversity loss are making headway, although not as quickly or consistently as we need.

    Communicating effectively about climate change became a central challenge for people around the world who understood the threat and could see the changes that needed to be made to address it. Marguerite will explore the approaches that effective climate communications campaigns have taken, drawing out the lessons that can be applied to AI.

Anya Grichina

Psychotherapist
Principal at Intimate Matters

  • Born in Soviet Russia, Anya has always had a knack for navigating complex situations (ever tried explaining the concept of “boundaries” to a babushka who believes in tough love?).

    After immigrating to Australia, Anya built a successful career in IT and marketing. But life had other plans. Relationship challenges sparked a passion for helping others find love, joy, and sizzling intimacy. Now, as a relationship counsellor and sex therapist in Sydney, she's there to guide people through the ups and downs of love and sex. Let’s ditch the shame and embrace the pleasure – together!

  • Is AI good for us in the long run?” From the viewpoint of a sex therapist, the answer to this question is exactly the same as to “Is Porn good for us in the long run?” Can you draw a line under when feeling good is not good for you anymore? This presentation takes a very personal look at the effect of AI on the human condition, on how we feel and how we cope with our feelings. Will AI help us feel good, and if not, what next?

Would you like to talk at FTC?
Contact our organisers

Join us from 5:30pm

Previous speakers

  • Rosie Mlinaric

    School deputy principal, now a leadership coach Rosie Mlinaric, spoke about the need to embrace emerging technology by teaching students to use, analyse, and improve AI-generated content.

    Rosie Mlinaric

  • Nik Albrecht

    Lawyer-entrepreneur Nik Albrecht, discussed the challenges of emerging technology without proper regulation, especially global applications which are treated differently by each country.

    Nik Albrecht

  • Vincent Turner

    UNO founder and business investor Vincent Turner, spoke about how leveraging technology to transform company culture, enables greater flexibility, collaboration, and innovation, raising the bar for remote and hybrid work.

    Vincent Turner

  • Mel Flanagan

    Content strategist Mel Flanagan works closely with NGOs all over the world, explored how Artificial Intelligence can enhance government transparency by making public data more accessible and easier to consume.

    Mel Flanagan

Tuesday 26th November 2024

Event Registration

Next event

26th Nov 2024

5:30pm until 7:30pm

  • Events are a mix of prepared talks, panel discussions and break out conversations. There will be light refreshments, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. A typical night is run like this:

    • 5.30pm
      Doors open, snacks and drinks on arrival

    • 6pm
      Introduction to the night

    • 6.05pm
      First Talk (no questions at this stage)

    • 6.20pm
      Short break, folks mingle and snack

    • 6.30pm
      Second Talk (no questions at this stage)

    • 6.50pm
      Short break, folks mingle and snack

    • 7.00pm
      Panel discussion, audience participation is encouraged. It’s an open forum

    • 7.30pm
      Event concludes

Drinks & snacks provided

Next event

Location

Bilue
Level 4, 4-6 Bligh Street
Sydney NSW 2000

❤
What people are saying

  • Christian, iOS Engineer at Bilue

    "The meetup last year was a standout for me. It brought together professionals from various industries to discuss ethical leadership in tech, tackling tough topics like AI’s future. The chance to ask questions, listen, and connect with impactful people in such a personal way was incredibly rewarding."

    Christian, iOS Engineer at Bilue

  • Sarah, Talent at Buildkite

    "Attending the FTC event was a true breath of fresh air! After a long pause on in-person events, it was great to connect face-to-face again. The talks were thought-provoking and sparked new ideas for my work, and the networking was invaluable. I met some fantastic people, and the conversations were both insightful and inspiring. Looking forward to the next one!"

    Sarah, Talent at Buildkite

  • Natalie, People & Culture at Zip

    "I attended one of the FTC events. It was a diverse and intelligent panel from a cross-section of industries talking through various thought-provoking ideas and subjects. I haven't been to many events where I left feeling engaged and inspired as I did from this one. They are definitely onto something good here!"

    Natalie, People & Culture at Zip

  • Keegan, CEO, Coach & Founder

    "Stretch, challenge and share thinking. The Future Tech Collective event walked the talk. It brought together people from different areas – law, technology, education and more. The conversations – both formal and informal managed to stretch, challenge and share thinking in a relaxed and welcoming environment."

    Keegan, CEO, Coach & Founder

Where insightful talks spark conversations and collaboration, exploring how technology is reshaping the future of our world and our lives.

The Organisers


Ruth envisioned a community where current and future leaders could come together, support one another, and navigate an ever-changing tech driven world. She brought G on board, and together they have created a space where leaders could shape the future.


A special thanks to Bilue, Playgrounded and MJGT for helping make our events possible.

  • Ruth is currently the Chief Growth Officer at Bilue, where she applies her passion for people, leadership, and organisational culture. Her journey began in high school, where she was awarded the ‘Einstein Award’ for being the person most likely to succeed after school, as a result of being more focused on socialising than academics. While her peers pursued their passions in subjects like art, science, and technology, Ruth found her true calling in understanding and connecting with people.

    With a Bachelor's Degree in psychology and a Master's in art therapy, Ruth has built a diverse career in people-centred roles across various industries, including child protection and emerging technology. A strong advocate of the Culture First movement, she believes that trust and inclusion are key to enabling individuals to thrive at work. These values are central to her leadership philosophy at Bilue, where she fosters a culture of growth, collaboration, and innovation.

  • G has built a career working with people in the technology industry. She’s always loved how passionate people in technology are about technology, but tech is not her jam. What technology can do for people, and how it can impact society and how we work is far more interesting to her.

    G runs Playgrounded with her co-founder Stefan Bramble - helping hybrid & remote teams build relationships, rituals & reflection practices to get more done and have more fun.

Future Tech Collecitve and our supporters acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we operate, including the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present and recognise their enduring connection to the lands, waters, and communities where we work and live.