Event Wrap Up - AI vs AI: How Attackers and Defenders Use Artificial Intelligence
Highlights
- ACS QLD launched Cyber Security Awareness Month on 1st October with a dynamic event at Smart Precinct NQ in Townsville, focusing on the complex role of artificial intelligence in cybersecurity.
Townsville, 1 October 2025
ACS QLD was proud to kick off Cyber Security Awareness Month right on the 1st of October with a dynamic regional event at Smart Precinct NQ. Townsville’s tech community gathered to explore one of the most pressing topics in cybersecurity today: the double-edged role of artificial intelligence.
Hosted by ACS QLD Branch Manager Ken Gideon, the session featured a thought-provoking keynote by Damian O'Keefe, Team Leader – Cyber Safety and Security at Townsville Catholic Education. Damian unpacked a real-world phishing case, illustrating how attackers are already leveraging AI to create more sophisticated and harder-to-detect threats. He also highlighted the ways defenders can harness automation and AI to strengthen resilience, underscoring the importance of building a culture where human expertise and technology work hand-in-hand.
The event also included a short presentation from Melanie Vearing, Industry Workforce Advisor at ACS, who shared insights into workforce needs and opportunities in the cybersecurity sector.
This engaging session sparked meaningful discussion among attendees and reinforced the critical importance of collaboration, awareness, and innovation in staying ahead of evolving cyber threats.