The Invisible Mind - The Economics of AI
Date
From: Wednesday June 17, 2026, 8:30 am
To: Wednesday June 17, 2026, 5:00 pm
The Invisible Mind: The Economics of AI brings together leading economists, policymakers and industry experts to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the economy and how economic thinking can help make sense of it.
Moving beyond the hype, this one-day conference will examine the real impacts of AI on productivity, jobs, market structures and public policy. Through keynote addresses, panel discussions and practical insights, the program will explore what history and economic frameworks tell us about technological change, who stands to gain, and how risks can be managed.
Designed for economists, policy professionals and industry leaders, the event offers a clear-eyed, structured perspective on AI, providing participants with the tools to better understand, communicate and respond to one of the most significant economic shifts of our time.
The program will cover:
⚙️ Productivity, jobs and the changing nature of work
📊 Market structures, competition and AI infrastructure
⚖️ Responsible AI, regulation and the role of government
💻 A computing perspective on the future of AI
🎤 Panel: How AI impacts economics — and economics impacts AI
Who Should attend:
🔷 Economists (all levels) – understand how AI is changing modelling, forecasting and analysis
🔷 Policy analysts & government advisors – implications for regulation, labour markets and policy design
🔷 Central bank & Treasury staff – impact on macroeconomics, productivity and decision-making
🔷 Banking & financial market analysts – effects on forecasting, markets and monetary policy
🔷 Consultants (economic, strategy, policy) – applying AI insights to client problems
🔷 Data scientists & AI specialists – bridging economic thinking with new technologies
🔷 Academics & researchers – implications for research and teaching
🔷 Corporate economists & strategy teams – understanding productivity, competition and AI adoption
🔷 Early-career economists & graduates – building skills for the future of the profession
📍 Details
📅 Date: Wednesday 17 June 2026
⏰ Time: All-day event (from 8:45am), with post-event drinks from 5:00pm
📍 Venue Partner: Amazon, 2 Park Street, Sydney
💲 Cost: $265 (members) / $325 (Join Here or Renew Here)
🔐 Need help? Contact us if you require assistance email admin@esansw.org.au
💡 Membership: Consider becoming an ESA member to access the discounted rate. (Join Here or Renew Here
We thank Amazon, our venue partner for collaborating on this event
With thanks to Amazon, our Venue Partner
Hear from:
🔷 Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP – Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury
🔷 David Orsmond – Professor of Economics, Macquarie Business School; Director of Policy and Communications, Centre for Applied Artificial Intelligence; President, ESA NSW Branch
🔷 Michael Brennan – CEO, e61 Institute; former Chair, Australian Productivity Commission; former Deputy Secretary, Australian Treasury
🔷 Dr Emmanuelle Walkowiak – Vice-Chancellor’s Senior Research Fellow, RMIT; Research Affiliate, ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society (ADM+S)
🔷 Professor Barney Glover AO – Commissioner, Jobs and Skills Australia; former Vice-Chancellor and President, Western Sydney University
🔷 Dr Stephen P. King – Commissioner, Productivity Commission; Professor of Practice, Monash University
🔷 Dr Michael G. Kollo – Chief AI Transformation Officer, Qualitas; former CEO, Evolved.AI
🔷 Professor Niloufer Selvadurai – Director of Research and Innovation, Macquarie Law School; Co-Director, Data Horizons Research Centre; Co-Chair, Australian Law Associate Deans Research Network
More Info about our speakers can be found here: Speaker Bios
Click here to Book Online
Venue
Amazon
2 Park Street, Sydney NSW 2000