Presented by

Free eventNo tech skills needed

Geraldton

Put AI to work in your business

A hands-on AI workshop with Ben Cooper
+ an in-conversation session with Deon Wilde

Thursday 10 September 9am–1pm Batavia Coast Conference Centre

See how AI can help you grow your business, reach more customers, improve marketing, solve business challenges and work more efficiently.

Led by Ben Cooper — the innovation leader behind world-first technology for Optus and NRMA, and AI strategy for organisations including Uber — with Deon Wilde, Founder and CEO, Platform 5ive.

Free · Places limited

Thu 10 September

9am–1pm · Geraldton

Morning tea & networking lunch included

Batavia Coast Conference Centre
at The Gerald
25 Cathedral Avenue, Geraldton

This isn't another AI talk.

You'll spend the morning actually working with AI.

Bring your laptop. Bring the work that takes too long, the idea you haven't cracked, or the business problem you'd like to solve.

Ben will take you hands-on through how AI can be used across a business, before being joined by Deon Wilde for a conversation exploring what's becoming possible with AI.

No technical background required

Workshop led by

Meet Ben Cooper

He doesn't just talk about innovation. He's built it.

Optus Clever Buoy

World-first shark detection system

Multiple Cannes Lions including a Titanium Lion.

NRMA Fireblanket

Award-winning bushfire detection innovation

Recognised by the AFR as Australia's #1 overall innovation.

Uber + AI

AI strategy and emerging technology

Through Brainstrust, Ben has advised organisations including Uber, Revolver and D&AD.

Ben Cooper has spent nearly three decades at the intersection of creativity, technology and human behaviour, with senior roles at R/GA, M&C Saatchi and The Monkeys.

He founded Brainstrust to help organisations turn emerging technology into real capability and impact, and led the inaugural D&AD AI & Creativity Report, reaching more than 12,000 industry professionals globally.

This is the person you'll spend Thursday morning working with in Geraldton.

At 11:30am, Ben and Deon sit down for a practical conversation discussing how businesses are using AI and automation to work smarter, solve real problems and drive growth.

In conversation

Deon Wilde

Founder and CEO, Platform 5ive

Sovereign + Offline AI

Built in WA, runs locally

Building AI in WA that can operate locally, without sending data online.

Hack the Divide

Practical AI in regional WA

Taking practical AI skills into regional WA, including a regional event series with Dell and NVIDIA.

No coding required

Building with AI, without being a coder

Deon has no coding background. He builds practical AI tools by directing AI — and teaches others how to do the same.

Deon isn't a coder. He's a business builder. After 20+ years across sales and business development — including 13 years with Boral — and starting and selling six businesses of his own, he turned that same builder mindset to AI.

Today, through Platform5ive, he's building sovereign and offline AI in WA and teaching non-technical people how to build with AI themselves.

The program

A morning of hands-on learning, presentation and connection.

9:00

Arrival + morning tea

9:30

Hands-on with Ben Cooper

Two hours working with AI on real business tasks, ideas and problems.

11:30

In conversation with Deon Wilde

A conversation exploring what's becoming possible with AI and practical workflows.

12:00–1:00

Networking lunch

Continue the conversation with Ben, Deon and other participants.

For business owners, leaders, teams, founders and curious minds who want to understand what AI could actually do for their work. No technical background required.

What you leave with

What you'll leave with

Practical ideas you can use back at work.

Cut the admin

Explore ways AI can reduce repetitive paperwork, emails and routine tasks.

Create better, faster

Use AI to develop content, communicate ideas and turn rough thinking into useful output.

Solve real business problems

Learn how to work with AI as a thinking and problem-solving tool — not simply a chatbot.

Put AI to work

Leave with practical tools, ideas and a clearer understanding of where AI can create value in your business.

Places limited · Free to attend

Thinking of sending someone from your team?

This isn't four hours learning prompts.

They'll return with practical ways to use AI for everyday work — from reducing admin and improving communication to solving problems and identifying new opportunities.

A morning out of the office. Ideas they can bring straight back into it.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

No. The workshop is designed to be accessible whether you're already experimenting with AI or just getting started.

We acknowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples maintain a unique, unsevered and strong spiritual and cultural connection to land and waters, and practice language, lore and culture which enriches our lives and identity as a nation.

Secure your seat

Don't just hear about AI. Put it to work.

Spend a morning with two people working at the forefront of practical AI and innovation — and leave with ideas you can use back at work.

Thursday 10 September · 9am–1pm

Batavia Coast Conference Centre, Geraldton

Morning tea + networking lunch included