AUKUS Pillar II Forum

Held each June and rotating between partner universities in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, the AUKUS Pillar II Forum brings together government, industry, academia, and defence practitioners to shape the responsible design and development of advanced capabilities, including AI, cyber, hypersonic, directed energy, undersea autonomous, and quantum technologies.

The Forum provides a unique platform to share best practices to promote transparency and interoperability across AUKUS innovation to embed law, ethics, safety, and trust at the heart of next-generation capability design.

The Responsible by Design Institute and Defence AI Research Network (DAIRNet) are pleased to host the first AUKUS Pillar II Forum on 16 June 2026.

The AUKUS Pillar II Forum brings together government, industry, academia, and defence practitioners to shape the responsible design and development of advanced capabilities, including AI, cyber, hypersonic, directed energy, undersea autonomous, and quantum technologies.

The Forum provides a unique platform to share best practices to promote transparency and interoperability across AUKUS innovation to embed law, ethics, safety, and trust at the heart of next-generation capability design.

To ensure wide attendance, the event will be online.

The Forum will open with a key note speech by the Hon Chris Picton MP, South Australian Minister for AI and Digital Economies and Minister for Defence and Space Industries. Participants will also hear from representatives from Commonwealth Government, Academia, Defence Industry and Non-Government Organisations on the principles and practice of responsible design and development on AUKUS Pillar II technologies.

Upcoming Events Submit an Event

July

The Queensland Defence Summit will bring together government, industry, academics and policy experts to examine Australia’s defence capabilities and strategic requirements spanning Far North Queensland and the broader Pacific.

August

Events for the spouses/partners of current- and former-serving ADF members.

The Women in Defence Industry Leadership Accelerator Program is specifically tailored for early-career formal and informal female STEM leaders in the defence industry who are transitioning from technical expert to technical leader. .

The Women in Defence Industry Leadership Accelerator Program is specifically tailored for early-career formal and informal female STEM leaders in the defence industry who are transitioning from technical expert to technical leader. .

Events for the spouses/partners of current- and former-serving ADF members.

September

KADEX 2026, one of the largest defence industry exhibitions in Korea, is happening from 6 October to 10 October 2026.

The SIA’s eighth Submarine Science, Technology and Engineering Conference (SubSTEC8) will be held 21-23 September at Adelaide Oval, SA. Under the theme Pillar 1 through a Pillar 2 Lens – Advanced AUKUS Capabilities and the Submarine Deterrent.

Events for the spouses/partners of current- and former-serving ADF members.

October

The Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition has announced the 2026 edition of Australia’s largest land defence trade event will be held in Perth, Western Australia, from 6-8 October 2026. 

The next ADM Women’s Walk will take place at Land Forces in Perth on the 7th October 2026.