On October 22, 9.30AM at Hall 5A at the Sydney Showground WEXPO will host a panel discussion titled AI in Action: Hype, Help or Hindrance?
Aimed at small and mid-size business owners, the panel promises no-nonsense insight from experts immersed in the real-world use of AI.
One of those experts is Kate Dodd, founder and director of Intent Strategy.
Dodd brings a rare blend of design, data science, and systems strategy to the table. Originally trained as a designer, she also holds a Master of Data Science Strategy and Leadership, and her career has spanned tech, fintech, legal, and media industries.
“This panel is an opportunity to hear from specialists who bring real AI expertise and business operations insight — not just more hype,” Dodd said. “There’s a huge risk in adopting AI prematurely or without proper understanding. It’s very difficult to untangle the mess once it’s integrated poorly.”
The discussion, also featuring panelists Careen Matthews (Humaneer), Olga Papageorgiou (Oliver Wight Asia Pacific), and John-Paul Costales (Be Useful), will focus on helping business leaders make informed, pragmatic decisions about AI.
Topics will include what AI really is, ethical and security considerations, and a practical guide for SME adoption.
According to Dodd, pressure to integrate AI is mounting — often without the time, tools, or literacy to do it well.
“You don’t gain much by adopting a new tool if your systems still run like it’s 1995,” she said. “I hear ‘I should really know more about AI’ almost every day, but I rarely see follow-through.”
She draws a sharp line between effective AI integration and blind adoption.
“AI is most useful in predictable, repetitive processes — places with strong historical data to learn from,” she explains. “But LLMs [large language models] complicate that because they sound so confident and polished. That tone often overrides healthy skepticism.”
Crucially, Dodd warns against using AI to replace entry-level roles.
“That’s a short-sighted move,” she said. “It erodes the pipeline of future talent and ignores the fact that building the necessary infrastructure takes serious investment.”
She likened AI to an untrained employee — powerful but useless without context and direction.
“AI isn’t sentient. It won’t adapt or read your mind. It reflects the data and structure you give it. Businesses must ensure AI aligns with their purpose and function, not the other way around.”
The panel also aims to shed light on the growing mismatch between enterprise-scale AI adoption and the SME sector’s capacity to keep up. As AI tools become embedded in everyday platforms, employees are already using them, often without governance in place.
“We’re in a game of catch-up,” Dodd said. “Leadership needs to set the minimum standard for quality and security before it's too late.”
WEXPO’s panel promises to offer clarity, not confusion and perhaps most importantly, a starting point for businesses still unsure how to navigate the AI landscape. For any leader asking, “Is this worth it?”Tthis is the place to find out.
