We're joined by Stacey Lismore from Microsoft and Wesley Nelson from HSO to explore how generative AI, co-pilots, and digital twins are reshaping Australia's manufacturing landscape. From predictive maintenance and quality control to supply chain resilience and upskilling the workforce, we unpack real-world applications and the practical steps manufacturers can take today to start their AI journey.

If you're curious about how AI is actually being deployed in Australian factories, or what ethical and strategic leadership looks like in this space, you won’t want to miss this one.

This special episode is part of our partnership with AMTIL as the official podcast of Australian Manufacturing Week 2025.

In this episode we are joined by Sharon Robertson, CEO of the Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance, to explore how Australia can close the skills gap in manufacturing and build a resilient future. Sharon unpacks the four transformational pillars reshaping the industry - clean manufacturing, circular economy, digital transformation, and sovereign capability. From mentoring programs to career perception shifts, Sharon shares how the Alliance is helping employers, educators, and the next generation navigate change, capture knowledge, and elevate the sector. Whether you're battling skills shortages, planning for succession, or curious how to engage Gen Z in manufacturing careers, this one's for you.

Part 2 of our Avalon Airshow special, we continue our journey through Australia’s most exciting tech and manufacturing innovations shaping defence, aerospace, and mining.

Shane and Paul catch up with four standout companies pushing the limits of what's possible:

Andrew Davies from Taz Drone Solutions shares how his team went from modifying off-the-shelf drones to designing purpose-built UAVs for dangerous mining, defence, and fire management missions.

Alex Reynolds from BLACK6 unpacks how their integrated learning environments use simulation, AI, and data analytics to transform training outcomes across aviation and heavy industries.

Shane Rapmund from Athena AI explains how their military-grade computer vision tools are reducing operator overload in complex environments — from battlefields to surveillance operations.

David Jervis from Gilmour Space talks launching Australia into orbit, with locally-designed rockets aimed at solving the growing bottleneck in satellite deployment.

This episode is packed with stories of homegrown innovation, manufacturing resilience, and real-world tech applications.