# Event Details - **Event Name**: Companions in the Age of AI - **Event Start and End Date**: Mon, 07 Sep, 2026 at 09:00 am – Mon, 07 Sep, 2026 at 04:00 pm (+10:00) - **Event Description**: AI companions promise support but spark debate. This symposium explores their impact through expert panels and the latest PhD research.About this EventAI companions are rapidly becoming part of our everyday lives, reshaping how we interact with technology in a variety of contexts, from care to intimate relationships. AI companions are promoted as offering new forms of social, emotional, educational and practical support. But this is controversial. As these systems become more integrated into society, they present new opportunities but also raise important questions about connection, care, safety and responsibility.Join researchers from the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Ethics (CAIDE) and the School of Computing and Information Systems (CIS) at The University of Melbourne for a symposium exploring this emerging field. Across three panels, the day will examine AI companions for young people, applications in aged care, and the risks and regulation of AI social companions. Lightning talks and poster presentations will showcase the latest PhD research projects.For more information including the speakers visit:Event Partner: Centre for AI and Digital EthicsAgenda🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:00 AMDoors Open🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AMPanel 1: AI Companions in Aged CareInfo: Prof Jenny Waycott, Dr Ting Dang, Ms Catherine Parisi and Dr Marc Cheong🕑: 11:00 AM - 11:30 AMMorning tea and PhD poster session🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:00 PMPhD Lightning Talks🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PMPanel 2: AI Companions for Younger PeopleInfo: Panel: Dr Simon Coghlan, Dr Eduardo Oliveira, A/Prof Roisin McNaney and A/Prof Bjorn Nansen 🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:45 PMLunch🕑: 01:45 PM - 02:45 PMPanel 3: Responsible and Safe AI Info: Prof Jeannie Paterson, A/Prof Greg Nyilasy, A/Prof Dr Grant Blashki and Dr Isabelle Scott 🕑: 02:45 PM - 03:15 PMPhD Lightning Talks🕑: 03:15 PM - 03:45 PMAfternoon Tea - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/melbourne/companions-in-the-age-of-ai/100001997421267781 - **Event Categories**: it, artificial-intelligence - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 1 - **Event Highlights**: - Duration: 7 hours - Location: Melbourne Connect - The Studio - Languages: English ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: AUD ## Event venue details - **city**: Melbourne - **state**: VI - **country**: Australia - **location**: Melbourne Connect - The Studio - **lat**: -37.8002763 - **long**: 144.964236 - **full address**: Melbourne Connect - The Studio, Level M, 700 Swanston Street, Melbourne, Australia ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: Companions in the Age of AI - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events9/banners/bdbb9b0c8b405b7821c5e0bf5782ab4353152d522acd54bfdc63039c8caf971c-rimg-w1200-h675-dc080818-gmir.jpg?v=1787602871 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is Companions in the Age of AI being held? - **A:** Companions in the Age of AI takes place on Mon, 07 Sep, 2026 at 09:00 am to Mon, 07 Sep, 2026 at 04:00 pm at Melbourne Connect - The Studio, Level M, 700 Swanston Street, Melbourne, Australia. - **Q**: Who is organizing Companions in the Age of AI? - **A:** Companions in the Age of AI is organized by Melbourne Connect. ## Structured Data (JSON-LD) ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Event", "name": "Companions in the Age of AI", "image": "https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events9/banners/bdbb9b0c8b405b7821c5e0bf5782ab4353152d522acd54bfdc63039c8caf971c-rimg-w1200-h675-dc080818-gmir.jpg?v=1787602871", "startDate": "2026-09-07T09:00:00+10:00", "endDate": "2026-09-07T16:00:00+10:00", "url": "https://allevents.in/melbourne/companions-in-the-age-of-ai/100001997421267781", "location": { "@type": "Place", "name": "Melbourne Connect - The Studio", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "Level M, 700 Swanston Street", "postalCode": "3053", "addressLocality": "Melbourne", "addressRegion": "VI", "addressCountry": "AU" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": "-37.8002763", "longitude": "144.964236" } }, "eventAttendanceMode": "https://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceMode", "description": "AI companions promise support but spark debate. 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It is a new model for collaborative innovation within the STEM disciplines.The people, place and program at Melbourne Connect is designed to foster the type of collaboration that can expedite and amplify innovation. It is a project where all participants will be deeply engaged to find innovative solutions for our future challenges and enabled to contribute to the greater wellbeing of societies globally.Melbourne Connect is led by the University of Melbourne, in partnership with a consortium led by Lendlease." } ] } ] ```