This 2 hour session will give you repeatable workflows: a mindset on how to start thinking about AI at the automation and decision-support layer.
Sign up below for this free masterclass, part of the 2026 Summer Program
This workshop will run online from 12.00pm to 2.00pm via Zoom, and run on Australian Eastern Daylight time (UTC +11)
Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne Daylight savings time
This 2 hour master-class is for academics, researchers, policy professionals, administrators and anyone!
We are all busy and want practical ways to reduce friction in everyday life — meetings, evidence synthesis, planning, reading, and decision preparation. We want more time for creative value-added activities and less time for repetitive, boring, but needed work.
This workshop is not focused on individual AI tool(s) - they change quickly! This session will give you repeatable workflows: a mindset on how to start thinking about AI at the automation and decision-support layer. We focus on problems that you face every day: too much information to digest, meetings that don’t translate into action, fragmented notes, and time pressure around briefs, grants, and submissions.
We will work through a small set of core workflows that can be applied immediately, regardless of how tools evolve. The aim is not to “do everything,” but to leave with a few methods that genuinely save time, improve clarity, and thrive with tools we have on hand.
Dr. Maria Prokofieva is an Associate Professor in AI/ML at Victoria University and a data lead at the Mitchell Institute, Vic. She works on projects that use AI/ML approaches and Large Language Models to research applications in business and healthcare. As a machine learning engineer with a deep passion for the responsible application of AI, Maria's work deciphers complex online behaviors to inform consumer and business strategies. She also chairs the CPA Australia Business Analytics Group and part of CPA Australia Technology Innovation Committee, driving innovation in data analysis tools. Maria’s contributions to both research and practical applications are shaping the integration of AI in business and policy on a global scale.
This free workshop will take place online.
All course materials will be provided
1. BOOKING - ACSPRI does not accept ‘expressions of interest’ for course places, i.e. all bookings, are considered firm, and a cancellation fee is charged if you cancel your booking after the early-bird date.
2. DISCOUNT RATE – The discounted rate for ACSPRI members is available to all staff and students of member organisations. To be eligible for this rate:
The course fee must be paid by either the member organisation or by you. Where fees are paid by a non-member organisation the non-member rate applies:and
You must either have a valid email address issued by the member organisation; or you must hold, or have a right to hold, a current staff or student identity card from the member organisation.
In addition, to be eligible for a full time student discount the participant must:
Hold, or have a right to hold, a current student identity card from the member organisation;
Be enrolled as a full-time student;
Make payment in full with your application, arrange electronic funds transfer (EFT), or contact ACSPRI to advise credit card details for payment, by the early-bird closing date;
Provide ACSPRI with contact details of your supervisor, so we can request them to confirm your eligibility for the full time student rate.
The early bird rate applies to all bookings paid in full by the early bird close date, otherwise you will be charged at the standard rate.
3. REFUNDS & CANCELLATIONS - Course fees are not refundable unless:
we cancel the course in which you have enrolled; or
you cancel your enrolment before the early-bird closing date.
A cancellation fee of $250 will be charged if you cancel within the period from the early-bird closing date of and one week prior to the commencement of the program. The full course fee will be charged if you cancel within 1 week of the beginning of your course.
4. PRE-REQUISITES - Course descriptions specify course pre-requisites. You must undertake to meet the pre-requisites of the course(s) in which you enrol. If in any doubt, you should contact ACSPRI prior to enrolling.
Delivery of this course is online - via Zoom.
Please ensure you have the following:
- Reliable Internet connection with at least 5Gb per day of data available (i.e. a 5 day course will use about 25Gb of data just on the Zoom application)
- A computer/laptop with the Zoom application installed (free)
- A webcam (built in to most laptops)
- A headset with a microphone (not required but ideal)
- A second monitor/screen if possible
Please also check the course page for specific software requirements (if any).