Cheese and Chats: is AI taking over officiating in modern sport?

AI is making its way into the world of sports officiating. This conversation will dive into the evolution of refereeing – from video assistant refereeing to real-time decision making powered by machine learning.

Join us for the next Cheese and Chats event as we explore whether the future of fair play is all about data, or if there will still be a place for human referees.

Event details 
Date: Wednesday 10 September
Time: 5:30–7:30pm
Venue: The Atrium, UQ Brisbane City, 308 Queen Street, Brisbane
Cost: $40 (includes cheese box with tasting notes and one standard drink)Enjoy light refreshments and cash bar at the heritage-listed Atrium in Brisbane CBD. Friends and colleagues of UQ alumni are welcome.

Limited tickets available. We hope to see you there.

Professor David T. Martin
Professor of Sport Technology and Performance, UQ and Queensland Academy of Sport
Bachelor of Arts '83; Bachelor of Laws '86
Professor Martin brings over 35 years of experience in Olympic and professional sports, renowned for his innovative impact on high-performance sport science. A specialist in talent recruitment and multi-disciplinary collaboration, he has worked closely with elite coaches and athletes in Olympic sports. Since August 2025, he has served as a Professor of Sport Technology and Performance at UQ and the Queensland Academy of Sport, focusing on the synergy between scientific innovation and elite athletic performance.

Anita Palm OLY
Director of Games Coordination, Department of Sport, Racing and the Olympic and Paralympic Games
Bachelor of Human Movement Studies (Education) '88; UQ Contribution to Sport Alumni Award '24
Anita Palm OLY has had a distinguished career as a multi-sport athlete and sports administrator. She represented Australia in beach volleyball, indoor volleyball and softball before transitioning to roles in sports administration and strategic leadership.
With more than 20 years’ experience working with the Olympic Games, sports bodies and government organisations, Anita Palm has extensive expertise in advising Olympic-bidding cities and Organising Committees for the Olympic Games (OCOGs).

Adjunct Professor Sam Robertson
Director, Institute for Sports Tech Standards
Adjunct Professor Robertson is a researcher and consultant focusing on developing methods and systems to optimise integrations between humans and technology. Robertson is currently the Director of TCG Advisory, a consulting firm specialising in optimising human-technology (AI) integration. He also holds an honorary position at UQ and is the host of the popular future of sport podcast, One Track Mind. He has worked with a range of sporting organisations including FIFA, The Australian Football League, San Antonio Spurs, Tennis Australia, Barça Innovation Hub, Kansas City Royals and the Western Bulldogs.

Jillian Whiting
Bachelor of Arts '91
Jillian Whiting is an experienced journalist and TV presenter who works with leading Australian businesses in Media and Presentation Training and Communication Workshops. Best known as a television newsreader and reporter, Whiting has worked as a reporter on Channel Seven's top-rating breakfast TV program, Sunrise and is currently also a presenter on Channel Seven’s popular lifestyle program, Weekender.