Dr Mahendra Samarawickrama

Research and Thought Leadership on Consciousness, Physics, AI, Neurotech, Brain and Sustainability.

[Dr Mahendra Samarawickrama @MindCausationAI]

It was great to meet Dr Andrew Ng @AndrewYNg, the pioneer in the Time100 AI list of the most influential AI persons in the world, who contributed significantly to the evolution and democratisation of AI.

#artificialintelliegence #STEM #education #research #sustainability

[Dr Mahendra Samarawickrama @MindCausationAI]

Honoured to deliver the keynote at Govt Cybersecurity & AI 2026: The Future of AI & Cybersecurity in Government, focused on AI sovereignty.

My presentation explored an important but often under-recognised dimension of national AI sovereignty: the need for nations to invest in intellectual capability across AI standards, policy, governance frameworks and international interoperability.

When AI sovereignty is discussed, the focus is often on data, compute infrastructure, cloud capability and sovereign technology platforms. These are all critical.

However, national influence in the global AI ecosystem also depends on the ability to shape the standards, frameworks and policies that guide how AI is developed, governed, assured and trusted.

AI sovereignty goes beyond owning data and infrastructure. It also requires intellectual leadership in the global systems that define the future of AI.

Investing in international standards and policy development is not only a governance priority. It is a strategic capability.

It enables nations to contribute to global interoperability, protect national interests, strengthen economic resilience and support safe, responsible and sustainable AI adoption.

There is a significant opportunity for governments, standards bodies, industry, academia and civil society to collaborate on interoperable frameworks that enable trustworthy AI at scale.

Thank you to IBR Conferences Pty Ltd, Jay Nair and all colleagues contributing to this important conversation.

#AISovereignty #AIGovernance #GlobalStandards #Interoperability #ResponsibleAI #AIStandards #AIPolicy #TrustworthyAI #AILeadership #Sustainability #NationalStrategy #AIFrameworks #Cybersecurity #GovTech

[Dr Mahendra Samarawickrama @MindCausationAI]

It is an honour to lead the Centre for Consciousness Studies, Australia, as an official host of the BCI and Neurotechnology Spring School 2026 and the Global BCI Network.

This is a remarkable global initiative, bringing together researchers, clinicians, engineers, students and companies from around the world to advance brain-computer interfaces and neurotechnology.

The program will run from 20 to 29 April 2026.

For more information and registration:
https://t.co/DLbQNePXfT

Last year, more than 90,000 participants from over 140 countries joined this global learning experience. This year, the Spring School again offers an extraordinary opportunity to learn, engage and collaborate across disciplines.

Over 10 days, participants will gain access to:
• 100+ expert lectures from leading researchers and clinicians
• Live demonstrations of BCI systems and neurotechnology
• Interactive discussions and collaboration opportunities
• Hands-on development through the global https://t.co/orV9SY5IHE Hackathon
• A full journey from signal acquisition to clinical application

You are invited to join this global platform to ask questions, build BCI applications and connect with a worldwide community working at the frontier of neurotechnology.

Thank you to Dr Christoph Guger, Arif Kamil, g.tec medical engineering GmbH and everyone contributing to this important global knowledge-sharing initiative.

Photo courtesy of Andra Müller and Allan McCay, taken during the Neurotechnology Summit 2025 Australia.

#BCI #Neurotechnology #BrainComputerInterface #Neuroscience #AIGovernance #AISafety #ResponsibleAI #TrustworthyAI #AIEthics #AIAssurance #HumanCenteredAI #SpringSchool2026 #BR41NIO #GlobalBCINetwork #CentreForConsciousnessStudies #Innovation #Research

[Dr Mahendra Samarawickrama @MindCausationAI]

Neurotechnology Summit 2025 provided a comprehensive view of the rapidly evolving neurotechnology landscape, bringing together lawyers, psychologists, engineers, medical professionals, standards bodies, start-ups, government leaders and many others.

The summit helped shape an important national conversation and further marked Australia’s growing footprint in this emerging field.

LLMs and emerging AI largely rely on data connected to language, logic and behaviour. However, future human-centred technologies may increasingly access deeper dimensions of human experience through brain-computer interfaces, neurotechnology, quantum sensors and related systems.

This opens profound questions about feeling, attention, perception, volition and consciousness, including experiences that may not be fully interpreted through language and logic.

Our research focuses on how to ethically govern these future neurotechnologies through human-AI co-design, ensuring they evolve in alignment with moral, ethical, legal and socially responsible principles.

Thank you to Andra Müller, the Jewelrock team and Allan McCay for orchestrating such a visionary and strategically important summit. Special thanks to Andrew Birmingham for expertly moderating the event.

It was also wonderful to connect with Nita Farahany, Nicholas Opie, Harikesh Pushpapathan, Cameron Higgins, Michael Witbrock, Allan McCay, Lorraine Finlay, Kiley Seymour, Christina Maher, Andrew Birmingham, Brad Howarth, Dr Frederick Osman and many others.

#Neurotechnology #Neurotech #Consciousness #PhilosophyOfMind #Neurophilosophy #AIAndConsciousness #BeyondMaterialism #MindAndBrain #QuantumConsciousness #HumanAICodesign #ResponsibleAI #AIGovernance

[Dr Mahendra Samarawickrama @MindCausationAI]

Leadership and Transformation in the Australian AI Landscape: Towards Safe and Responsible AI

It was a great privilege to contribute to a thought-provoking session at Government House NSW, exploring the transformational impact of Artificial Intelligence on society.

The session brought together leaders from the Royal Society of NSW, the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, the Australian Academy of the Humanities, the Australian Academy of Science, the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, and the NSW Government.

The discussion focused on how leaders must act safely and responsibly to guide AI-driven transformation, ensuring innovation remains aligned with ethics, human values and societal wellbeing.

It was wonderful to connect with many colleagues shaping Australia’s AI landscape and contributing to a better society through safe and responsible AI, including Christina Slade, Victor Dominello, Mary-Anne Williams, Dr Frederick Osman, Sally Cripps, Pascal Van Hentenryck, Rosalind Croucher, Dan Hart, Jill Bennett, Stephen Hardy, Simon Carlile, Amandeep Hansra, Richard Taggart, Dan Jermyn, Salah Sukkarieh, Jacky Hodges, Lyria Bennett Moses, Michael Blumenstein, Ros Harvey, Jie Lu, Lina Yao, Shakeel Mahmood, Susan Pond, Bill Simpson-Young and many others.

Australia’s AI future depends on our collective ability to balance innovation with integrity. Collaboration and partnerships will be crucial to building a sustainable, safe and responsible AI future.

#AI #ResponsibleAI #AIEthics #Leadership #Governance #AISovereignty #ArtificialIntelligence #Australia #TechnologyForGood #Sustainability

[Dr Mahendra Samarawickrama @MindCausationAI]

Honoured to join a powerful panel discussion at the 9th Annual DataGov 2025 Forum in Canberra on “Bridging the AI and Human Gap: Where Do We Start?”

We explored some of the most pressing questions shaping the future of AI, data and society:

• How can humans and AI work together meaningfully?
• What are the key risks and opportunities in AI?
• How do we build trust in GenAI?
• How do we embed Human-in-the-Loop approaches into emerging technologies while aligning with evolving global regulations such as the EU AI Act?

It was a pleasure to contribute alongside Alex Jenkins, Bruce Innes, Olga Lysenko, Jonathan Gray and many other colleagues.

Thank you to IBR Conferences Pty Ltd for organising this important forum.

Let’s keep driving responsible, inclusive and human-centric AI.

#AIEthics #HumanInTheLoop #AIGovernance #AIInnovation #DataGov2025 #SustainableAI #AITrust #EUAIAct #ResponsibleAI #GenAI #DataGovernance

[Dr Mahendra Samarawickrama @MindCausationAI]

It was a pleasure to teach Artificial Intelligence to an inspiring group of students from the United States as part of the CIEE Sydney program, while they explored the vibrant and diverse culture of Australia.

The program enabled students to engage with Australia’s culture, heritage, food, society and environment, while also exploring leadership in technology and the evolving international AI landscape.

We discussed AI sovereignty, regulation, governance, ethics, policy, emerging risks and the role of AI in advancing sustainability.

I am grateful to the University of Sydney, University of Technology Sydney and Boston University for supporting this broader contribution to technology education, cultural learning and innovative research.

A special thanks to Craig Jin from the Computing and Audio Research Laboratory, Ben Simons from the UTS Data Arena, and Jane Hanley and Monika Nalewaja from CIEE Sydney for sharing valuable research, insights and innovation across the emerging AI technology landscape.

It is inspiring to raise students’ awareness of how AI can be embraced responsibly, how risks can be managed effectively, and how innovation can align with ethics, governance and sustainability.

Well done to William Alexander, Jonah Feldman, Arsema Fessehaye, Brayden Hartle, Addison Kenny, Evan Mangifesta, Ryan Markus, Logan Marshall, Tate Metrokin, Grant Oliver, Leo Rosowsky, Dylan Turpel, Anwyn Yeats and all involved.

#ArtificialIntelligence #AILeadership #AIGovernance #AIEthics #ResponsibleAI #AISafety #SustainableAI #HigherEducation #TechnologyEducation #ExperientialLearning #CulturalLearning #StudentExchange #VisitingLecturer #GlobalEducation #EducationDiplomacy #EducationalPartnerships #StudyAbroad #Australia #Sydney

[Dr Mahendra Samarawickrama @MindCausationAI]

It was a pleasure catching up with Professor Michael Blumenstein, a transformative leader in academia, AI research, research translation and industry engagement.

Michael’s leadership at the University of Technology Sydney has significantly strengthened the bridge between research, industry and national innovation priorities.

I truly enjoyed our discussion and hearing his thoughtful perspectives on the future of technology, research impact and industry collaboration.

Wishing Michael every success as he begins his exciting next chapter with Flinders University.

#Leadership #Innovation #Research #HigherEducation #IndustryEngagement #AI #ResearchTranslation

[Dr Mahendra Samarawickrama @MindCausationAI]

Honoured to receive the Fellowship from The Teachers’ Guild of NSW, recognising my contributions to safe and responsible AI in education, standards development, university mentorship, humanitarian and sustainability initiatives, and inclusive innovation.

The Teachers’ Guild of NSW has served the teaching profession since 1892 and is recognised as Australia’s oldest professional association for educators. Its continued work in promoting education and supporting teachers across sectors is deeply valued.

My sincere thanks to The Teachers’ Guild of NSW and its President, Dr Frederick Osman, for their dedication, leadership and service to the education community.

A special thank you to Murat Dizdar, Secretary of the NSW Department of Education, for the recognition and for conferring the Fellowship.

I am grateful to continue contributing at this transformational moment for education technology, as we strengthen sustainability, belonging and responsible innovation for learners and teachers across NSW and beyond.

The friendships and collaborations formed along the journey continue to inspire me, and I look forward to creating further value in the years ahead.

Thank you to colleagues across the NSW Department of Education, Science Teachers Association of NSW, Science & Technology Australia, Professional Teachers Council NSW, Independent Schools NSW, Sydney Catholic Schools, Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese, The Anglican Schools Corporation, Catholic Schools NSW, IEEE, IEEE Standards Association, WWF-Australia and https://t.co/ug4b8DiUlZ.

#SafeAndResponsibleAI #EducationExcellence #Sustainability #Leadership #STEMEducation #EducationStandards #InclusiveInnovation #UNSDGs #TeachersGuildNSW #TeachingExcellence #TeachingAwards2025 #TeacherLeadership #EdTech #NSWEducation #ResearchAward

[Dr Mahendra Samarawickrama @MindCausationAI]

🌍 Human-Centred Design in Education

I was honoured to deliver the keynote at The Teachers’ Guild of NSW Conference, “Exploring Innovative Research in Schools and Universities”, sponsored by the University of Technology Sydney.

My session focused on human-centred design as a cornerstone of AI ethics, and why human values must remain central to both the development and adoption of AI in education.

AI is computational, data-driven and task-specific, while human consciousness is deeply connected with empathy, creativity, moral judgement and lived experience. This distinction matters greatly in teaching and learning.

For the education sector, this is not only a technical discussion. It is about safeguarding the human experience of learning.

Human-centred AI should enhance, not replace, the uniquely human qualities of teachers and learners.

As we build and adopt AI systems, governance and ethics must ensure that design choices respect human dignity, creativity and responsibility.

Human-centred design must guide not only how AI is produced, but also how it is integrated into classrooms, pedagogy and the broader education ecosystem.

Special thanks to Dr Frederick Osman, Dr Shaila Akhter, Keith Heggart and many others who contributed to organising the conference.

#AI #Ethics #Education #HumanCenteredDesign #AIEthics #TeachingAndLearning #EdTech #Research #Schools #Teachers #Collaboration #Innovation

[Dr Mahendra Samarawickrama @MindCausationAI]

It was a pleasure to publish our research on unifying objective and subjective experiences through a mathematical framework for consciousness at the IEEE Conference on Engineering Informatics 2025, held at Swinburne University of Technology in collaboration with IEEE Standards Association and IEEE SSIT.

This research brings together ideas from fundamental physics, computational paradigms and the philosophy of mind within a unified mathematical model.

The framework incorporates Hilbert space, the Universal Turing Machine, Gödel’s incompleteness and chaos theory to explore how consciousness may bridge objectivity and subjectivity.

The work has important implications for the future evolution of human-AI co-design, neurotechnology and ethical AI systems.

It also highlights the importance of integrating human ethics, moral reasoning and accountability into AI policy and governance, especially as brain-computer interfaces and advanced AI systems continue to evolve.

For more information about this research, please follow: https://t.co/KQJ7jkxt0I

#Consciousness #HumanAIcodesign #Neurotechnology #ArtificialIntelligence #HumanCentredDesign #AIEthics #AIGovernance #PhilosophyOfMind #BCI #ResponsibleAI #IEEE

[Dr Mahendra Samarawickrama @MindCausationAI]

🤖 Building a Safe and Responsible AI Future with Human Accountability and Values 🌍

Honoured to deliver a keynote at the Innovation and Industry Forum 2025 at the University of Wollongong Innovation Campus, alongside visionary educators and industry leaders shaping the next wave of innovation in STEM and technology.

Thank you to the Teachers Guild of NSW and The Australian Institute of Physics for organising this important forum.

As AI and robotics rapidly advance, now is the critical moment to strengthen AI ethics, governance and sustainability, ensuring that progress remains guided by human accountability and values.

Emerging intelligent systems, like the robotic companion beside me, remind us that AI can assist, augment and inspire, but it must not replace human judgement, responsibility or the Human in the Loop.

We are building a future where safe, responsible and sustainable AI operates with human values and vision, guided by transparency, fairness, compassion and trust.

The guardrails we establish today will shape the safety, wellbeing and opportunities of future generations.

Let’s innovate with purpose, with humans at the heart of intelligent systems.

#AIEthics #ResponsibleAI #Innovation #STEM #Governance #FutureOfWork #Sustainability #AIforGood #UOW #TeachersGuildNSW #IEEE #SafeAI #InnovationForum2025 #OECDAI #IEEEStandards

[Dr Mahendra Samarawickrama @MindCausationAI]

Honoured to contribute to the discussion on Sri Lanka’s AI strategy execution at the National AI Expo and Conference 2025.

A key message from the panel was clear: Sri Lanka should not simply copy and paste global AI models. Instead, it should develop AI capabilities that reflect local languages, culture, data, priorities and national development needs.

I also highlighted the importance of establishing a National AI Centre to coordinate AI initiatives, break down silos across universities, industry and government, support SMEs and entrepreneurs, and help align national AI implementation with responsible governance.

AI strategy is not only about technology. Success depends on execution, data quality, talent development, trust, security, inclusion and strong leadership.

Let’s continue building AI that is locally relevant, globally connected and responsibly governed.

#SriLanka #AI #AIGovernance #ResponsibleAI #NationalAIStrategy #DigitalTransformation #AIforGood #Innovation #DataGovernance #AITrust

[Dr Mahendra Samarawickrama @MindCausationAI]

I’m honoured to have been admitted as a Member of the Royal Society of NSW, one of Australia’s oldest learned societies dedicated to advancing science, art, literature and philosophy.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr Frederick Osman for the nomination and to my colleagues whose presence made this recognition even more meaningful.

It is a privilege to be welcomed among distinguished peers who share a deep commitment to the role of knowledge, research and innovation in shaping a better future.

The Royal Society of NSW continues to play an important role in promoting scientific, technological and intellectual transformation towards a more sustainable and equitable society.

I look forward to contributing to this important mission.

#RoyalSocietyNSW #ScienceForSustainability #Innovation #Leadership #Transformation #ScienceAndTechnology #Sustainability #STEMLeadership #Research #Knowledge

[Dr Mahendra Samarawickrama @MindCausationAI]

🚀 The AI and BCI Dilemma: Are We Ready for the Next Frontier? 🤯

I am excited to deliver the keynote at the ISO TC46/SC11/WG22 International Virtual Seminar on Records Management and AI, exploring critical leadership questions at the intersection of technology, ethics, law and governance.

As AI becomes increasingly capable of interpreting, predicting and potentially influencing human thoughts through Brain-Computer Interfaces, we must ask whether our current governance models are ready for this next frontier.

Can AI truly capture the richness of human cognition, or will it misinterpret subjective human experience?

Who owns our neural data? Should it be commercialised, protected, or recognised as a fundamental right?

If a NeuroCyborg commits a crime, who is accountable: the AI developer, the user, the organisation, or the system itself?

As we navigate this frontier, responsible AI leadership must help shape governance across three critical areas:

🔹 Data Governance
Ensuring ethical handling, privacy, security and accountability for neuro-data.
🔹 Legal Frameworks
Advancing new thinking on Neuro-Rights, beyond existing AI and privacy regulations that may not fully address the implications of BCI technologies.

🔹 Human-in-the-Loop AI
Drawing a clear boundary between AI that supports human cognition and AI that makes or influences cognitive decisions.

The time to act is now.

We need global dialogue, responsible standards and practical governance frameworks to ensure AI-driven BCIs protect human dignity, agency, privacy and accountability.

What do you think? Should we develop global policies for AI-driven BCIs?

#AILeadership #ResponsibleAI #BrainComputerInterface #BCI #DataGovernance #AIEthics #NeuroRights #LegalTech #AIGovernance #HumanInTheLoop #Neurotechnology #EmergingTech #AIRegulation #ResponsibleInnovation #CentreForSustainableAI #Meta61

[Dr Mahendra Samarawickrama @MindCausationAI]

🧠🤖 Bridging AI and Humanity: Human Cognition, Brain-Computer Interfaces and the Future of Ethical AI Agents

I am excited to deliver the keynote at the ISO/IEC/JTC 1/SC 43 Symposium on Brain-Computer Interfaces, exploring the implications of AI, legal accountability and the Human-in-the-Loop approach in the rapidly evolving field of Brain-Computer Interfaces.

The gap between artificial intelligence and human intelligence is narrowing rapidly. Yet an important question remains: will there always be a fundamental differentiator between AI and human cognition?

AI is built on data, but can Brain-Computer Interface data fully bridge the gap between AI and human cognition, enabling systems that emulate aspects of human thought, perception and decision-making?

Or is there an intrinsic, pre-linguistic dimension of human experience, beyond interpretation and logic, that cannot be transferred to AI?

If such an uncommunicable essence exists, does it uniquely define humanity? And how should AI principles, legal accountability, governance frameworks and ethical AI agents be shaped in light of this understanding?

Given this perspective, Brain-Computer Interfaces may offer powerful opportunities to support the development of ethical AI agents while also raising profound questions about human dignity, agency, accountability and responsible innovation.

Looking forward to contributing to this important discussion at the intersection of AI, neurotechnology, cognitive science, law, governance and humanity.

#AI #BrainComputerInterface #BCI #HumanInTheLoop #ArtificialIntelligence #AIEthics #ResponsibleAI #AIandLaw #Neurotechnology #EmergingTech #AIGovernance #EthicalAI #FutureOfAI #CognitiveScience #HumanMachineInteraction #TechInnovation #ISO #IEC #IEEE #AIRegulation #AIandHumanity #AIPhilosophy #AIThoughtLeadership

[Dr Mahendra Samarawickrama @MindCausationAI]

🌿 Honoured to join WWF-Australia as a Governor 🌏

I am deeply honoured to be appointed as a Governor of WWF-Australia and grateful for the trust placed in me.

WWF-Australia’s Regenerate Nature by 2030 strategy reflects a powerful commitment to people, planet and prosperity, aligned with sustainability, ESG and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

We are at a pivotal moment where artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, immersive experiences, citizen science and First Nations knowledge can support transformative change for sustainability, biodiversity and climate action.

I look forward to contributing to this important mission and supporting efforts to regenerate nature for future generations.

Thank you to Judy Slatyer, Karen Hing and Jillian Button for your support.

#WWFAustralia #RegenerateNature #Sustainability #AIforGood #ESG #UNSDGs #ClimateAction #ResponsibleAI #TechForGood #Biodiversity #InnovationForSustainability

[Dr Mahendra Samarawickrama @MindCausationAI]

Honoured to deliver the keynote at the IEC Smart Cities Systems Committee on adopting, adapting and governing safe and responsible AI in emerging smart cities with the right mindset.

The session, organised by ACS and Standards Australia, highlighted the critical role of emerging technologies in shaping sustainable, ethical and intelligent urban ecosystems.

As smart cities continue to evolve, responsible AI governance, standards alignment, digital transformation and sustainability must remain central to how we design future urban systems.

Great to connect with industry leaders and experts, including Michael Mulquin, James Sankar, Jacques Evans, James Maddock, N. Kishor Narang, Mario Kliesch, Brad Trethewey, Chris Pettit, Flora Salim, Ellie Lee and many others to exchange insights on the future of smart cities.

#AI #SmartCities #AIGovernance #ResponsibleAI #EthicalAI #AIStandards #DigitalTransformation #Sustainability #IEC #ACS #StandardsAustralia

[Dr Mahendra Samarawickrama @MindCausationAI]

Nice to have presented our industry research project at IEEE ICEI24 Melbourne on the convergence of AI and private blockchain, with a focus on enhancing tourism and hospitality loyalty services for improved customer experiences.

The project explored how private blockchain can enable seamless B2B engagement, support value creation, and strengthen trust while aligning with emerging blockchain regulations and responsible innovation principles.

This research was conducted in collaboration with Meta61, iFusion Systems, the Centre for Sustainable AI, Lady Rebel Club and Our Rebel World, reflecting Australian and UK industry partnerships aligned with the UN SDGs.

A special highlight was mentoring two talented student groups from the University of Melbourne and Western Sydney University, who contributed to this research journey.

It was also great to connect with Greg Adamson, Ambarish Kulkarni, Srikanth Chandrasekaran and many other IEEE members.

#Blockchain #GenAI #CustomerExperience #ResponsibleAI #Trust #EmergingTechnology #Innovation #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #Governance

[Dr Mahendra Samarawickrama @MindCausationAI]

Pleased to have moderated recent AI roundtables in Sydney and Melbourne with FST Media and Amazon Web Services, exploring how emerging technologies are reshaping industries and redefining how businesses operate.

The discussions covered some of the most important enterprise AI themes, including customer-facing and internal AI use cases, autonomous agents, LLMs, workforce readiness, and the business case for GenAI.

A key takeaway was that delivering GenAI ROI depends not only on technology adoption, but also on data maturity, security guardrails, responsible AI governance, and clear alignment with business value.

Great to engage with industry leaders on how organisations can adopt AI responsibly while strengthening innovation, trust, productivity, and customer experience.

#AI #GenAI #ResponsibleAI #Innovation #CustomerExperience #AIGovernance #DigitalTransformation #Leadership #Technology