--- title: "Featured Speakers at The OpenLearning Forum 2023: AI in Education & the Future of Learning" description: Get to know the featured speakers at The OpenLearning Forum 2023. Engage with leaders of top universities and industries in this online event. image: https://blog.openlearning.com/hubfs/Featured%20Speakers%20OL%20Forum%202023%20Blog%20Featured%20Image.png --- [![OpenLearning Logo](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5f6fb7cbdbe1b69641ddf9fe/5f71c1cd44fb7b7354aed8e9_Open%20Learning%20Logo.webp)](https://blog.openlearning.com) - Educators - Get Inspired Curated content to help you create, market and deliver world-class education. - [Beginner Course Creators](https://blog.openlearning.com/openlearning-blog-beginner-course-creators?hsLang=en) - [Employee Onboarding and Training](https://blog.openlearning.com/onboarding-training?hsLang=en) - [Marketing Your Course](https://blog.openlearning.com/marketing?hsLang=en) ![icon-1](https://blog.openlearning.com/hubfs/Images/icon-1.png) - [Downloadable Resources](https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/bufc4bjkqmflegwai5t3s/ADOkkCFNU1LsxShHdPOz7ss?rlkey=e0ne00og4hp6ux1ut6wvomh9l&st=zfyrc58o&dl=0) Templates to help you plan and manage your online course project. ![Nav_Icon_2](https://blog.openlearning.com/hubfs/Images/Nav_Icon_2.svg) ![external-link-alt-regular](https://blog.openlearning.com/hubfs/Images/external-link-alt-regular.svg) - [Workshops and Webinars](https://solutions.openlearning.com/events?hsLang=en) Browse upcoming events and access on-demand webinars. ![Nav_Icon_3](https://blog.openlearning.com/hubfs/Images/Nav_Icon_3.svg) ![external-link-alt-regular](https://blog.openlearning.com/hubfs/Images/external-link-alt-regular.svg) - [Lifelong Learners](https://blog.openlearning.com/learners?hsLang=en) - [Product Updates](https://blog.openlearning.com/tag/updates) - [Subscribe](https://blog.openlearning.com/#hs_cos_wrapper_module_1623683371629468) [Try it for free](https://solutions.openlearning.com/contact/sales?hsLang=en) ![search icon](https://blog.openlearning.com/hubfs/Images/search-regular-icon.svg) [Try it for free](https://solutions.openlearning.com/contact/sales?hsLang=en) # Featured Speakers at The OpenLearning Forum 2023: AI in Education & the Future of Learning By [OpenLearning](https://blog.openlearning.com/author/openlearning) min read Share ### Contents - 1. Cherie Diaz - 2. Dr. Abd Karim Alias - 3. Dr. Srecko Joksimovic - 4. Adam Brimo - 5. David Collien - 6. Dr. Shazia K Jan 1030 - *The OpenLearning Forum: AI in Education & the Future of Learning* will take place virtually on the 7 December 2023, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM (AEDT).  - The forum will kick off with a short Introduction and opening address followed by an end-to-end showcase of our AI assistant. Then we will commence our future-focused panel discussion of the role of AI in education, and conclude with the OpenLearning Awards 2023 Ceremony. - The online forum features trailblazing experts from across the education sector including Western Sydney University (WSU), Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) and University of South Australia (UniSA). The OpenLearning Forum is focused on the transformative impact of [AI on education](https://blog.openlearning.com/ai-in-education?hsLang=en) and its role in shaping the future of learning. Engage with pioneering, innovative educators, researchers and and industry leaders as we navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by AI for educators and learners in the lifelong learning ecosystem. We’re pleased to share our featured expert speakers at the OpenLearning Forum 2023. Meet our speakers:   | ![656f07243c1d7ca5da95043b_headshot - C Diaz](https://blog.openlearning.com/hs-fs/hubfs/656f07243c1d7ca5da95043b_headshot%20-%20C%20Diaz.png?width=134&height=167&name=656f07243c1d7ca5da95043b_headshot%20-%20C%20Diaz.png) | ## Cherie Diaz **Executive Director, Education Innovation, Western Sydney University** | | --- | --- | Cherie Diaz is the Executive Director, Education Innovation at Western Sydney University. Prior to this, Cherie was the Managing Director, Australia at OpenLearning. Cherie has also served as Head of Education Delivery at the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and Director of Customer Success at Scientia (Ivy Colleges). Cherie has held many pivotal roles, including, National Head of Academy and Head of College/ Registered CEO at Study Group Australia, Learning and Design Specialist at Staples Australia, and Training Consultant at Ernst & Young. Cherie holds a Bachelor of Teaching/ Bachelor of Arts from Australian Catholic University, a Master of Arts (History) from Macquarie University, and a Master of Arts (Education) from University Technology Sydney. Armed with over 15 years of experience, Cherie is dedicated to building experiences that put the learner at the centre of the design and delivery process. She is a lifelong learner who is passionate about empowering educators and enabling learners worldwide through technology.   | ![656f078ad589b925e7fbb927_headshot - Prof. Karim](https://blog.openlearning.com/hs-fs/hubfs/656f078ad589b925e7fbb927_headshot%20-%20Prof.%20Karim.png?width=134&height=167&name=656f078ad589b925e7fbb927_headshot%20-%20Prof.%20Karim.png)   | ## Dr. Abd Karim Alias **Professor, Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN)** | | --- | --- | Dr. Abd Karim Alias is a former Professor of Food Technology at the School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and the former Director of the Centre for Development of Academic Excellence. He taught at USM for over 28 years (1994-2022) In addition, he held several administrative positions, including Deputy Dean, Director of CDAE, Senate member for many years, and Senate representative on the university's Board of Governors. Currently, he serves as a Distinguished Fellow at UNITEN and Universiti Malaya's Adjunct Professor.   Dr. Karim advocates for online learning, reflected in his extensive work on teaching portals, websites, online courses, and blogs. As of July 2023, his 469 instructional videos on YouTube boast over 1.62 million views, reaching 190 countries, with 70,000 watched hours and 8600 subscribers. Notably, he received two prestigious national awards at IUCEL2022: the Higher Education e-Learning Maestro Award and the Best Trendsetter Award.   | ![656f082afc121ee13fbf7240_headshot - Dr Srecko](https://blog.openlearning.com/hs-fs/hubfs/656f082afc121ee13fbf7240_headshot%20-%20Dr%20Srecko.png?width=134&height=167&name=656f082afc121ee13fbf7240_headshot%20-%20Dr%20Srecko.png)   | ## Dr. Srecko Joksimovic **Senior Lecturer, University of South Australia ** | | --- | --- | Dr Srecko Joksimovic is a Senior Lecturer in Data Science at the Education Futures, University of South Australia. His research is centred around augmenting abilities of individuals to solve complex problems in collaborative settings. Srecko is particularly interested in evaluating the influence of contextual, social, cognitive, and affective factors on groups and individuals as they solve complex real-world problems. In doing so, he utilises a wide range of methods from machine learning, artificial intelligence, and natural language processing, as well as data science and social computing in general.   Srecko has a strong publication record in top journal and conference venues in the fields of learning analytics, educational data mining, and learning technologies. His work has received considerable recognition in the international research community as evidenced through several best paper awards, scholarships, and stipends. He has been actively involved in the development of the learning analytics research field. He served on the Executive Committee of the Society for Learning Analytics Research for four years, between 2015 and 2019. Currently, Srecko is a Committee member of the ASCILITE Learning Analytics SIG and a LAK21 Conference Program Chair.   | ![656f085674057560ce23931b_headshot - Adam](https://blog.openlearning.com/hs-fs/hubfs/656f085674057560ce23931b_headshot%20-%20Adam.png?width=134&height=167&name=656f085674057560ce23931b_headshot%20-%20Adam.png)   | ## Adam Brimo **Chief Executive Officer, OpenLearning ** | | --- | --- |   Adam is a visionary entrepreneur driving transformative change in Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the education landscape. As the Founder and CEO of OpenLearning, he's been at the forefront of revolutionising learning experiences. A double-degree holder in Engineering (Software) and Arts (Politics) from UNSW, Adam's passion for innovation garnered him recognition as a Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia honoree in Consumer Technology in 2017, as well as induction into The Pearcey Foundation's 2018 NSW Tech Entrepreneur Hall of Fame. In 2012, Adam co-founded OpenLearning alongside luminaries like UNSW Prof Richard Buckland and David Collien. This social learning platform has since attracted over a million students, hosting groundbreaking short courses, micro-credentials, and degrees across Australia and Malaysia.   | ![656f08706f33e2a1775b8b7c_headshot - David](https://blog.openlearning.com/hs-fs/hubfs/656f08706f33e2a1775b8b7c_headshot%20-%20David.png?width=134&height=167&name=656f08706f33e2a1775b8b7c_headshot%20-%20David.png)   | ## David Collien **Chief Technology Officer, OpenLearning ** | | --- | --- |   David holds a Bachelor of Science (Computer Science) with 1st Class Honours from the University of New South Wales (UNSW). His former PhD research topic at UNSW centred on Computer Science and Education: pedagogy, motivational mechanics, and social dynamics which facilitate effective online learning communities, self-directed learning and online heutagogy. David founded OpenLearning in 2012 with fellow UNSW coursemate Adam Brimo, and later graduated from Telstra's Muru-D programme. David is actively involved in the Sydney Edutech and startup scene.   | ![656f088ed7688427ef071b54_headshot - Shazia](https://blog.openlearning.com/hs-fs/hubfs/656f088ed7688427ef071b54_headshot%20-%20Shazia.png?width=134&height=167&name=656f088ed7688427ef071b54_headshot%20-%20Shazia.png)   | ## Dr. Shazia K Jan **Academic Director, OpenLearning ** | | --- | --- |   Dr Shazia is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), UK and Academic Director at OpenLearning. A pracademic in the true sense of the word, Shazia has several years of experience in strategic and operational leadership of cross-functional teams for provision of innovative, meaningful, and outcomes-based educational solutions across the lifelong learning span. Prior to joining OpenLearning in 2021, as Director, Learning and Teaching and Head of Design and Innovation at Macquarie Business School, Shazia led several innovative teaching and learning and student experience and employability initiatives with a focus on sustainable impact at scale. Join our free virtual forum. Registrations are open. For the full agenda, please [visit our website](https://solutions.openlearning.com/olforum2023?hsLang=en#speakers-agenda).   [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/696603/b84c10d3-331b-40a3-8cf4-8f401941d73e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/696603/b84c10d3-331b-40a3-8cf4-8f401941d73e) Topics: [Updates](https://blog.openlearning.com/tag/updates) Liked this post? Don’t forget to share it! ### Recommended Resources May 22, 2026 ### [The Mind Control Matrix:
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