SESA Talks: Applying AI beyond ChatGPT in engineering
Thursday, February 19 from 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Overview
Many engineers have experimented with tools such as ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot, yet these represent only a small part of the rapidly evolving AI ecosystem. This session moves beyond general-purpose chat tools to provide a clear, practical introduction to AI capabilities that can be integrated into everyday engineering workflows. In this session, the presenter will demystify commonly used terms such as agents, MCP, A2A and RAG, helping engineers build confidence in understanding and evaluating emerging AI technologies relevant to professional practice.
Through interactive polls and live demonstrations, the session will showcase practical platforms including visual workflow automation tools, AI agent frameworks and local, private AI solutions suitable for sensitive or regulated environments. Attendees will see how these tools can support repeatable engineering tasks such as document handling, standards checking and cross-system integration. The session provides participants with a realistic view of what is achievable today and a structured roadmap for exploring AI safely, responsibly and effectively within their own engineering context.
Program timeline
Online
- 6.30 pm AEDT – Presentation commences
- 7.30 pm AEDT – Presentation concludes
(If you are joining from Queensland, please join at 5.30pm AEST)
In-person
- 5.00 pm AEST – Registration opens
- 5.30 pm AEST – Presentation commences
- 6.30 pm AEST – Presentation concludes. Networking and catering
- 7.00 pm AEST – Event concludes
Learning outcomes
- Interpret common AI terminology in plain language, enabling informed discussions and decisions about AI adoption in engineering practice.
- Identify AI tools beyond chat-based systems that are well suited to engineering workflows, including automation and agent-based solutions.
- Understand when and how local or private AI options can be applied for sensitive, regulated or air-gapped project environments.
- Develop a practical starting roadmap for experimenting with AI tools that improve efficiency while aligning with professional and organisational obligations.
About the speaker
Fabrice is a Director and founder of Allayze, a Systems Engineering and AI consultancy delivering innovative solutions for industry. He holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from RMIT and a Master of Systems Engineering from UNSW ADFA, with over ten years of experience across defence, railway, aerospace, and automotive sectors. Alongside his consulting work, he spends a lot of time figuring out how AI fits into serious engineering environments. Two years ago, he picked up his first AI tool out of curiosity. That curiosity quickly turned into something closer to obsession. He built a Hazard Log after getting fed up with Excel spreadsheets, wondering what if AI could help identify hazards he might have missed. That side project opened his eyes to what becomes possible when you combine engineering discipline with these new tools. Now, alongside two business partners, he’s building a Multi Agent Systems Engineering Platform aimed at the document-heavy, standards-driven work that engineers deal with daily. The idea is straightforward: less time on tedious tasks, more time on actual engineering. Outside of that, Fabrice shares what he’s learned with engineers and teams trying to work out where these tools fit. His view is simple: get your hands dirty, break things, and figure it out as you go.