Future Led: Building a community committed to making a difference
As the year draws to a close, we’ve taken a moment to reflect on the Future Led events of 2024 and the community we have created through this highly engaging series.

Held in our Brisbane studio, we bring together leaders, policymakers and innovators in a panel format. Together with an engaged audience, our speakers explore complex human problems and challenge the status quo, bringing fresh perspectives and ideas with a future-focussed lens.

We learn about the extraordinary work being done that is truly transforming people’s lives for good. In doing so, Future Led has forged a community of leaders dedicated to creating best possible futures.

The Future Led audience at Liquid's new studio in Brisbane.

A fresh start
We started this year with a new approach. Focussing on the challenges and opportunities in the Australian health system, we welcomed 21 expert speakers at the forefront of their field to share their insights.

The new era of healthcare
Signalling our intent, our first topic of 2024 delved into the evolving landscape of Australia’s healthcare system. This conversation centred on the integration of advanced technologies and the imperative of truly connected patient-centred care.

Dr Dimity Dornan, Founder and Chair at Bionics Gamechangers Australia, emphasised the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and education in transforming patient care. She advocated for the empowerment that comes from shared knowledge, stating: "This is the century for empowerment, and empowerment means being able to share our knowledge."

Dr James Fielding, Founder and CEO of Audeara, discussed the potential of translating high-cost, precision medicine into accessible technologies at scale. He highlighted the role of innovation in supporting a patient-centred model of care, noting that with new technologies, "you can create enough care opportunities using low-cost deployable tech to make [a person-centred care model] a reality."

Vivienne Neilan, Director of Innovation at the National Injury Insurance Scheme (NIISQ) Agency, addressed the fragmented nature of patient care. She noted that participants often experience the trauma of repeatedly sharing their medical histories, underscoring the necessity for improved communication among healthcare professionals to empower patients and enhance their experience.

Dr John Tellam, Emergency Department Senior House Officer and Transformation Advisor at Queensland Health, highlighted the evolving role of doctors as translators between technical medical information and patient understanding. He stressed the need for communication tailored to individual health literacy levels to ensure effective patient-centred care.

The panel acknowledged the challenges posed by chronic diseases, an aging population, and inequitable access to health services, and that by integrating technologies such as quantum medicine, robotics, AI, synthetic biology and digital therapeutics into healthcare systems can significantly enhance patient outcomes.

L-R: Dr John Tellam, Vivienne Neilan, Dr James Fielding, Dr Dimity Dornan, Fiona Armstrong.

Skills to thrive in an AI-driven world
At our second Future Led event, our panel examined the critical skills needed to thrive in an AI-driven world, exploring how AI is reshaping the workforce and addressing concerns about its disruptive potential.

Lara Cresser, Partner at Gadens, highlighted regulatory challenges, pointing out that Australian privacy laws lag behind international standards like those in Europe. This creates significant gaps for businesses, which lack clear guidelines on data collection and privacy. Melissa Crossman, an advisor for Australian cyber security leaders Cryptoloc, added that service providers need to be more transparent about their data practices and held accountable for cybersecurity, ensuring that personal information remains protected.

Addressing fears that AI will replace human jobs, Katie Williams, Senior Lecturer at The University of Queensland, emphasised the need for individuals to develop skills like critical thinking, creativity and emotional intelligence. These skills, she explained, will complement AI technologies and open new opportunities for human-machine collaboration. Scott Millar, CEO and Founder of BOP Industries, moderated the discussion, steering the conversation toward how organisations can prepare for the future.

Ray O'Sullivan, Partner at Liquid, added insights on ethical and responsible AI adoption, urging industries to see AI disruption as an opportunity rather than a threat. Together, the panellists called for a collaborative approach from government and industry to ensure AI benefits are maximised while minimising risks.

The discussion concluded with a consensus that fostering continuous learning and adaptability will be essential for workers and organisations to thrive in the evolving AI landscape. By embracing a deliberate and ethical integration of AI, the workforce can leverage its potential while safeguarding human values and opportunities.

L-R: Scott Millar, Katie Williams, Melissa Crossman, Ray O'Sullivan, Lara Cresser.

How futuristic tech is changing healthcare today
In September, the conversation explored how advanced technologies are transforming healthcare and the challenges of ensuring equitable access. The panel highlighted personal and professional experiences with cutting-edge innovations, ranging from prosthetics and assistive technologies to surgical robotics and digital health data.

Adam Toohey, an amputee using advanced prosthetics, shared how these innovations have improved his quality of life while emphasising inequities in access that prevent others from benefiting similarly. Soo Oh, Head of Occupational Therapy at Queensland Spinal Injuries Unit, echoed this concern, highlighting the systemic barriers such as high costs and limited funding for training clinicians to adopt new technologies.

The discussion also explored groundbreaking advancements in data and robotics. Mark Opar of VALD Health described how digital health data is revolutionising rehabilitation by providing objective measures of patient progress. Sabrina Schoenborn from Convergence Medical introduced an arthroscopy robot capable of improving surgical precision and reducing risks, showcasing how technology can alleviate the burden on healthcare professionals.

The panel concluded that while futuristic tech holds immense potential for enhancing healthcare, systemic changes are needed to make these innovations accessible to all. Policies and funding must evolve to bridge the gap between technological capability and equitable implementation.

L-R: Adam Toohey, Soo Oh, Mark Opar, Sabrina Schoenborn, Kate Wylie.

Prioritising human impact in health funding
Our final Future Led event for the year explored the critical issue of healthcare funding, and the need for more flexible human-centred models of funding to support positive progress, prioritising patient outcomes and innovation. Moderated by Leo Yin, COO at Liquid, the discussion highlighted the limitations of current funding systems and opportunities for transformation.

Benjamin Hall, Director of Health Outcomes at Queensland Health, and Suzzie Harvey, Director of Business Development at AHHA, discussed the inequities caused by traditional models, particularly in rural and remote areas where fragmented policies and workforce shortages limit care.

The panel advocated for value-based funding frameworks, with Greta Liell-Cock, Director of Health Funding Innovation at Queensland Health, emphasising flexibility and Sharon Mickan, Adjunct Professor of Healthcare and Innovation at Bond University, calling for governance systems that support experimentation and innovation.

Technology and data were seen as critical enablers, with Mia McLanders, Manager of Research at Metro North Health, highlighting real-time data’s role in improving patient safety and clinician performance. The panel also stressed the importance of patient-reported outcomes and collaboration with policymakers to align funding with meaningful, equitable care.

Together, the panel envisioned a healthcare system that fosters innovation, leverages data effectively, and prioritises human-centred policies to meet diverse patient needs.

L-R: Suzzie Harvey, Mia McLanders, Benjamin Hall, Sharon Mickan, Greta Liell-Cock, Leo Yin.

Looking ahead
The 2024 Future Led series reflects Liquid’s commitment to explore the trends, technologies and policies shaping the future of healthcare in Australia. By fostering conversations that matter, we aim to inspire innovative solutions that prioritise human impact.

We extend our sincere thanks to the speakers and participants for helping us make this year’s Future Led series a platform for meaningful dialogue and impactful ideas.

As we plan for 2025, we look forward to expanding the Future Led series and deepening these discussions, building stronger partnerships and continuing to challenge conventional thinking.

Join the Future Led community and be part of the conversation for 2025.

Future Led: Building a community committed to making a difference

Sign up to our newsletter.