BiiG26 Reflections: Why Responsible AI Adoption Starts with People

Innovation with purpose

Last month, I attended BiiG26 and joined leaders from across healthcare, government and industry to explore how innovation is shaping the future of public services.

Beyond the presentations and panel discussions, one of the highlights for me was reconnecting with familiar faces across the sector. BiiG is a strong reminder that innovation doesn't happen in isolation: it happens through collaboration, shared experiences and the relationships we build along the way.

It was great to catch up with the Microsoft team and hear firsthand how they are supporting healthcare and government organisations as they navigate AI, digital transformation (DX) and modernisation initiatives. I also had the pleasure of meeting new people across the public sector, creating new connections and conversations that I know will continue well beyond the conference itself.

As with most conferences, there was plenty of discussion about emerging technologies, AI and DX. But my biggest takeaway wasn't actually about technology.

It was about people.

Across almost every session, presentation, and conversation, there was a consistent theme: the organisations achieving meaningful outcomes are those that empower people to innovate and collaborate, create the right conditions for change, and remain relentlessly focused on the communities they serve.

What innovation looks like when it's not about technology

One of the organisations that resonated most with me was Queensland's Family Responsibilities Commission (FRC).

Prior to BiiG26, I wasn't familiar with the FRC and the work it does in Cape York communities. What struck me was that its innovation isn't centred on technology. Instead, it's a model built around cultural authority, community leadership and early intervention, empowering local Elders and community representatives to help drive positive behavioural and social outcomes.

In a world where innovation is often equated with software, automation and AI, the FRC was a powerful reminder that some of the most impactful innovation comes from rethinking how services are delivered, who participates in decision-making, and how communities are supported.

How organisations build innovation capability from within

Another standout for me was Metro North Health's Helix program.

It was fantastic to connect with Nina Meloncelli, Program Director, Innovation at Metro North Health, and the team directly, and to learn more about the work underway to embed innovation capability across one of Australia's largest health services. The Helix approach focuses on helping frontline healthcare professionals move ideas into practice through structured support, education and implementation pathways.

What I found particularly compelling was that this isn't innovation for innovation's sake. It's about creating an environment where clinicians and frontline staff are empowered to identify problems, test solutions and drive meaningful improvements in patient care.

Too often organisations have no shortage of ideas; the challenge is turning those ideas into sustainable outcomes. Helix is a great example of how to bridge that gap.

Why healthcare innovation needs to look beyond clinical outcomes

Another session that stayed with me was the work being undertaken through Arts in Health at Queensland Children's Hospital.

It challenged the traditional view of healthcare innovation by recognising that healing extends beyond clinical interventions alone. The integration of art, creativity and patient-centred design highlights the importance of experience, wellbeing and connection throughout the healthcare journey.

It was a powerful reminder that innovation isn't always about creating something new; sometimes it's about creating environments where people can thrive.

How organisations should approach responsible AI adoption

Of course, AI and digital innovation featured prominently throughout the conference.

The conversations with Microsoft and others reinforced how rapidly AI is becoming an important enabler across the health sector, from supporting clinicians and reducing administrative burden to improving information accessibility and accelerating innovation.

What resonated most with me, however, was the emphasis on responsible adoption. The discussion wasn't simply about deploying new technology; it was about ensuring organisations have the governance, capability and foundations in place to realise genuine value while maintaining trust, security and safety.

As someone who works closely with organisations navigating their own AI journeys, I found this particularly relevant.

My personal reflections

As I reflected on the sessions throughout the day, I realised many of the examples resonated because they closely align with what we value at SixPivot.

Whether it was the Family Responsibilities Commission empowering communities through local leadership, Metro North Health enabling clinicians to drive innovation from within, or the thoughtful application of AI and digital technologies across the health sector, there was a shared focus on outcomes over technology.

At SixPivot, we often talk about innovation as a means to an end, not the end itself. The most successful initiatives I saw at BiiG26 weren't driven by the latest technology or the biggest budgets. They were driven by people who deeply understood the problem they were trying to solve and were empowered to make a difference.

What stood out was the emphasis on building capability, fostering collaboration and creating environments where individuals feel supported in challenging the status quo. The principles are central to how we partner with our clients and how we approach our own continuous improvement journey.

Final thoughts

I left BiiG26 feeling energised and excited.

Not only because of the innovation happening across healthcare and government, but because of the people behind it.

It was a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with friends, partners and colleagues across the ecosystem, spend time with the Microsoft healthcare team, and build new relationships with people who share a common goal of improving outcomes for communities across Queensland and beyond.

The conversations between sessions were often just as valuable as the presentations themselves. Hearing firsthand about the challenges organisations are facing, the lessons they've learned, and the impact they're creating reinforced the importance of collaboration in driving meaningful change.

For me, BiiG26 reinforced something I strongly believe: the best innovation happens when technology, people and purpose come together. The organisations making the biggest difference are those that stay relentlessly focused on outcomes, whether that's empowering clinicians, strengthening communities, improving patient experiences or enabling the responsible adoption of AI.

That's something we strive for at SixPivot, and it's why events like BiiG26 are so valuable. They provide an opportunity to learn from others, challenge our thinking, strengthen relationships and take new ideas back to our teams and customers.

Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences, insights and stories throughout the event. I left with new perspectives, new connections and a renewed appreciation for the incredible work happening across the public sector and for the power of people, purpose and collaboration.

It goes without saying, I'm looking forward to next year's event.

Read next: Clinical Photography Application Migration for Gold Coast Health: Maintaining Critical Care Delivery Under Time Constraints

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is BiiG26?

BiiG26 is a conference that brings together leaders from healthcare, government, and industry to explore how innovation is shaping the future of public services. The event features presentations, panel discussions and cross-sector networking, with a strong focus on Queensland's health and public sector ecosystem, covering themes from community-led innovation models to AI and digital transformation in healthcare.

What does innovation look like when it's not about technology?

At BiiG26, Queensland's Family Responsibilities Commission showed that some of the most effective innovation has nothing to do with software or automation. Its model is built on cultural authority, community leadership and early intervention, empowering local Elders and community representatives to drive behavioural and social outcomes in Cape York communities. It's a reminder that innovation is often about rethinking who participates in decision-making and how services are delivered, not just what tools are used.

How can organisations build innovation capability from within?

Metro North Health's Helix program offers a practical model: embedding innovation capability directly into frontline teams through structured support, education and implementation pathways. Rather than relying on top-down mandates, it gives clinicians and frontline staff the tools to identify problems, test solutions and turn ideas into sustainable improvements in patient care, closing the common gap between having ideas and acting on them.

Why does healthcare innovation need to look beyond clinical outcomes?

Queensland Children's Hospital's Arts in Health program demonstrates that healing extends beyond clinical intervention alone. Integrating art, creativity and patient-centred design into the care experience highlights how wellbeing, connection and environment all contribute to outcomes, reframing innovation as creating conditions where people can thrive, not just introducing something new.

How should organisations approach the responsible adoption of AI?

The consensus at BiiG26 was clear: successful AI adoption isn't just about deploying new technology; it's about having the governance, capability and foundations in place first. That means building trust, security and safety into AI initiatives from the outset, so organisations can realise genuine value from AI while protecting the people and communities they serve.