Australian ICT Pioneer Aidan Tudehope to Deliver the 2026 Pearcey Oration

The Pearcey Foundation today announced that this year's Pearcey Oration will be delivered by Aidan Tudehope, co-founder of Macquarie Technology Group. Tudehope, joint 2023 Pearcey Medallist, will present his vision on why Australia needs to create sovereign AI capability.

Tudehope co-founded the Macquarie Technology Group with his brother David and has served on its board since 16 July 1992. As Managing Director of the Hosting Group (Cloud Services & Government and Data Centres), Tudehope drives growth, operational excellence, cyber security leadership and an uncompromising standard of customer satisfaction. He heads the Government business unit, where Macquarie's Secure Government Cloud and Cyber Security offerings have set the benchmark for protecting the nation's most sensitive data.

In his Oration, Tudehope will be sharing his perspective on why Australia is uniquely positioned to be a leader in the AI era, and why sovereign capability matters not only for economic growth, but for Australia's long-term prosperity, resilience and national success.

"Every major industrial shift has presented Australia with a choice: remain a passive consumer or step up as an active architect of our future. As AI redefines the global economy, we have arrived at another pivotal moment - where today's decisions will echo for generations," said Tudehope.

"Beyond personal productivity gains, forward-thinking Australian industries are already leveraging AI to redefine what is possible and reshape traditional sectors. While we must address the essential social considerations and guardrails of transformative tech, caution alone cannot be our strategy. Backed by world-class talent, cutting-edge R&D, and an unshakeable pioneering spirit, Australia is primed to innovate rather than merely consume - to shape AI rather than simply inherit AI."

Widely regarded as the most significant technology oration in the nation, the Pearcey Oration is a vital window on Australia's technology future, providing an eminent expert with an opportunity to explore, in depth, critical contemporary issues arising from the introduction and adoption of new and advanced technologies into our society.

"I am incredibly honoured to have been invited to deliver the 2026 Pearcey Oration at Melbourne Connect. Over the years, the Pearcey Oration has been delivered by some of Australia's most respected technology leaders and thinkers. To be asked to join this distinguished list is both humbling and a privilege," said Tudehope.

Previous Pearcey Orators have included the Honourable Victor Dominello, former senior NSW Government minister, best known for serving as the inaugural Minister for Customer Service and Digital, Dr Ian Opperman, former Chief Data Scientist for NSW and founding CEO of the NSW Data Analytics Centre; Professor Michelle Simmons AO, CEO and Founder of Silicon Quantum Computing and 2018 Australian of the Year; the Honourable Ed Husic MP, Federal Minister for Industry and Science; Jeremy Hirschhorn, Second Commissioner, Client Engagement at the ATO; Roger Taylor, Chair of the UK Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation, and the late Paul Shetler, technologist, entrepreneur and government advisor. The first Pearcey Oration was delivered in 2008 by the CSIRO's Dr Terry Cutler.

The Oration is a flagship event of Melbourne Connect Innovation Week, the University of Melbourne's annual innovation festival brings together researchers, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, students and creatives across 40 events spanning health, sustainability, AI, entrepreneurship and immersive technology.

Held in conjunction with the presentation of the Victorian 2026 Pearcey Entrepreneur Award, the Pearcey Oration will be delivered at a sit-down gala dinner at Melbourne Connect on Tuesday, 8 September 2026.

2026 Pearcey Oration
Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 6:00 pm - 10:30 pm AEST
Melbourne Connect, 700 Swanston Street, Carlton, VIC 3053
Tickets available at https://www.pearcey.org.au/events/orations/2026-oration-booking

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About the Pearcey Foundation
The Pearcey Foundation Inc. is a non-profit organisation established in 1998 to raise the profile of the Australian Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry and profession. It was created in the memory of one of the greatest pioneers of the Australian ICT industry, Dr Trevor Pearcey. By celebrating the heroes in our industry, past present and future, the Foundation is looking to attract and encourage young Australians into this most exciting of global high technology sectors of our nation.

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