Date and time: Thursday 5 March, 12.30pm-1.30pm AEDT
Topic: Digital Innovation and AI in Evaluation: Exploring a New AES SIG
Presenter(s): Gerard Atkinson | Iris Ethics & Louise Freijser | University of Melbourne
Venue: Via Zoom. Details will be emailed to registrants just prior to the start time.
Register online by: 4 March 2026

Event description:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies are increasingly shaping the programs and systems evaluators are asked to assess. Many evaluators are also adopting AI tools within their own workflows to improve efficiency and quality.
This lunchtime seminar introduces a proposed AES Special Interest Group (SIG) on Digital Innovation and AI in Evaluation. The session will briefly outline the proposed focus of the SIG and invite members to share their interests and priorities through light, structured interactivity.
The seminar is intended for evaluators who are curious, cautious, or concerned about AI and digital evaluation, including issues of:
• ethics
• governance
• cultural safety
• data sovereignty
• workforce implications
• responsible practice

No prior knowledge of AI is required to attend.

Presenter details:

Gerard Atkinson is an independent consultant and Managing Director of Iris Ethics, Australia's first HREC dedicated to serving the market research, social research and evaluation sectors. In his independent consulting role he delivers training and support to evaluation and research organisations on the implementation of AI, and is a regular facilitator of AES workshops on AI. Prior to his current work Gerard was a Director with ARTD Consultants, where he led the development of their AI policy and training for staff.

Louise Freijser is an academic at the University of Melbourne, specialising in evaluation. She has a growing interest in the intersection of artificial intelligence and evaluation, with a focus on exploring how emerging technologies are reshaping evaluative practice. As a member of the Australasian Evaluation Society, she is keen to help foster a community of evaluators engaging critically with the implications, opportunities and risks that AI presents for the profession.

This free event has been organised by theDigital Innovation and AI in Evaluation SIG. Our seminar series provides an opportunity for you to meet with AES members and others in the evaluation community and to share and learn from the experiences of fellow evaluators. 

Session start times:

• VIC, NSW, ACT, TAS: 12.30pm

• QLD: 11.30am

• SA: 12.00pm

• NT: 11.00am

• WA: 9.30am

• New Zealand: 2.30pm

For other time zones please go to https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html

Please ensure you have access to your email address just prior to the start time to access Zoom details. Please also check your email address is correct on your registration form before submitting. Thanks.