Session Title: From Cyber Architect To Frontier Engineer: Technical (and other) Lessons From The Deep End
What happens when a cyber security architect stops analysing AI from a distance and starts building with it every day? In this session, AI enthusiast and security architect Declan (Dex) Roache shares his journey from AI observer to hands-on practitioner, building everything from mining industry solutions in his role at Thiess, to legal AI platforms, and even agentic solutions that can plan a home renovation from LiDAR scans. Along the way, Dex has experimented with frontier models, built a serious home GPU lab, and learned first-hand what works, what fails, and what the hype often misses.
Attendees will leave with actionable technical insights, a better understanding of safe AI adoption, and a few broader lessons on navigating one of the fastest-moving technology shifts of our time.
Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions of the speaker and networking drinks with light refreshments will be served after the presentations.
Speaker:
Declan (Dex) Roache - Principal Technical AI Specialist, Thiess Group
Dex is a cyber professional who, like many, dove fast and deep into AI as soon as it burst onto the scene several years ago. With a history working at the intersection of cyber security, identity, cloud and OT/IoT and experience spanning security operations, offensive security, incident response, identity and access management, and architecture, he’s always focused on turning complex technology stacks into cohesive, secure business-enabling solutions. This, combined with his rapid (and applied) experience at the frontier of AI, gives Dex a unique perspective on how to use AI in a way that balances innovation with risk management, safely and without creating unnecessary friction for users.
Date: Thursday 30 July 2026
Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm(AEST)
Agenda:
5:15pm - 5:30pm Registration
5:30pm - 6:30pm Presentation & Panel Discussion
6:30pm - 7:30pm Networking and light refreshments
Venue: The Sebel Brisbane, 95 Charlotte St, Brisbane
Cost to attend:
Registration is free for AISA members
Non Members: $115.50 (incl GST)
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