International speaker, Dr. John Flackett

Artificial Intelligence speaker across the globe

Our Co-founder and Technical Director, Dr. John Flackett, is an Artificial Intelligence speaker, educator, advisor. Artificial Intelligence is John's passion and has been an integral part of his career via teaching, research, business and education. A leader and expert in his field, John has achieved a PhD in Artificial Intelligence (Machine Learning & Natural Language Processing) and has 20+ years' experience working in AI. John’s worked in a wide range of industries and sectors (including banking, government and engineering) and previously was a Senior Academic for 10 years teaching masters and undergraduate Artificial Intelligence and undergraduate Computer Studies and Software Engineering at a UK University.

A renowned international speaker, John runs education programs and presents at events across the world, speaking about Artificial Intelligence, future jobs and emerging technology to industry, schools/education, community and government. As an AI advisor, John is among an elite group of experts regularly called upon to share his perspectives contributes to media interviews, radio discussions, publications and roundtables. John's academic and business career was featured in the Million Plus 'Think Modern' campaign that launched in the UK at the Palace of Westminster in May 2019. Download the report PDF and see page 24.

Dr. John Flackett is also Co-founder and Head of koolth's AiLab (Artificial Intelligence Laboratory) that assists industry, academia, government and community with learning and navigating AI through workshops, research, resources, policy development, and events. John is also the organiser and co-founder of the popular Adelaide Artificial Intelligence Meetup series – the largest AI networking community in South Australia.

As a Software Engineer, John has also designed and developed bespoke software for many industries (including retail, oil, gas, education and IT), which is being used throughout Australia and around the world. John's received various awards throughout his career, including from the British Computer Society (BCS) award. In his spare time, John assists with technology events and social good initiatives, as well mentoring individuals in the tech community. He is passionate about AI and his craft, and is dedicated to educating, collaborating, building AI awareness and helping everyone navigate the field of Artificial Intelligence.

If you would like John to talk at your next business event, convention or conference, please call us on +61 (0)8 8464 0787 or email us to make a booking. Below is a brief summary of a few of John's achievements, including some of John's talk's – which are featured in the scrolling bar below.

• International Speaker: Artificial Intelligence keynote speaker, presenter and panelist at events across the globe. John also runs workshops via AiLab on AI, future jobs and future technologies.
• Co-founder: AiLab, koolth and the Adelaide Artificial Intelligence meetup
• Education: John has a PhD in Artificial Intelligence, PgC in Research and First Class Honours in Computer Studies.
• Academia: Senior Academic at UK University: Teaching masters and undergraduate Artificial Intelligence, as well as undergraduate Computer Studies and Software Engineering. Also a Cisco Java Instructor and Supervisor/Coordinator of students final year undergraduate and postgraduate projects, as well as Supervisor for the annual, end of year Technology Degree Show.
• Media Interviews (Small sample): ABC News Interview: Computers are learning to write, but could they ever produce a literary masterpiece?, Brand South Australia Interview: Artificial Intelligence a game-changer for future jobs, Invest Adelaide Article: 'AiLab Set to Bring Artificial Intelligence into the Mainstream': feature, Sunshine Coast Daily newspaper Article: 'Potential to game change': feature, Southampton Solent University Interview, The Advertiser newspaper Article: 'Artificial Intelligence potential, SA Business launch as part of Open State' and nbn Australia Interview: 'Adelaide is the smart city to watch'.
• Mentor: For individuals in the tech community and participants of state/community hackathons.
• Software Engineer: Designed and developed global, bespoke software software for a wide range of industries (including retail, oil, gas, education and IT). These software solutions are being used throughout Australia and around the world. Also application architect & lead developer of EventAware; an intelligent, online event aggregator software application developed as part of the Adelaide D3 challenge competition.
• Solent University Spotlight – Million Plus 'Think Modern' Campaign: John's academic and business career was  featured as part of the Million Plus 'Think Modern' campaign that was launched at the Palace of Westminster in the UK in May 2019. The Think Modern campaign is a showcase of the very best of the UK's modern universities and John was featured as the Solent University spotlight on page 24 of the Think Modern report. Download the report PDF to find out more.
• British Computer Society (BCS) Award Winner: Recipient of British Computer Society award.
• Emerging Tech Inspiration for 2017: John was nominated by Dev Diner readers as an Emerging Tech Inspiration for 2017.
• Major Award Winner Unleashed Adelaide - GovHack National Event: Part of an award winning team that won three awards; the South Australian 'Premiers Award', the 'Peoples Choice Award' (Australia Wide) and the 'Building on Science, Research and Environmental Data Award'.

See list below for information on a selection of John's events.

Recommendations

"Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experience around Artificial Intelligence & Future Jobs with our Science, Technology and Maths teachers. Your presentation was not only informative but reassuring. It left us with many questions to consider – which is a good thing– including how we need to help prepare our young people for the unknown world of work in the future. Sometimes we get caught up in the content when we should equally be focusing on the skills needed. Your comment about the value of knowing how to research correctly really struck a cord... our young people do need to know how to find the correct, valid, current and relevant information they need when they need it. We're looking forward to hearing more from you in the future to help inform and shape the delivery of the STEM curriculum."

Sally Stewart – Senior Leader Career Development/VET/Senior School – Para Hills, South Australia

"I write on behalf of nbn co with a simple message of thanks for your keynote speaker role at the recent Unley Business Association and City of Unley Business Breakfast. The theme of “Artificial Intelligence and internet of the future” was overwhelming received with interest; though a shock to some when assessing the disruption and transitional impacts. nbn co, Council and the business community very much appreciated you volunteering your time, insights and passion. Your preparation, delivery tailored to the business audience, and your easy and engaging approach took us all on a journey that, for an early morning breakfast forum, was both entertaining and insightful. The value-added from a comprehensive understanding of digital marketing, website development and big data management was of particular value too. I’d not hesitate in seeking your services again, and would recommend you to anyone who asks – or doesn’t. I look forward working with you and koolth again in the future."

Chris Gregory – Senior Community Affairs Manager VIC/TAS/SA at nbn co – Adelaide, South Australia

“John shared his knowledge with our Polaris Centre clients when he keynoted our event Digital Horizons: the Future of Retail Online. His eloquent and thought provoking talk was very well received by the large audience and his slides were simple, effective and beautiful. I would absolutely recommend John to keynote your event, particularly if talking about Artificial Intelligence, Data (Big or Small) or anything web and IT related. Thanks John.”

Rhys Moult – Digital Business Advisor at Polaris Business & Innovation Centre – Salisbury, South Australia

Dr. John Flackett: Artificial Intelligence keynotes, talks, interviews & contributions

See list below for information on a selection of John's keynotes, talks, interviews and contributions.