[Panel] Western Australia as a Strategic Node to Global Financial, Energy, Resource and Data Corridors

This panel connects Western Australia’s deep past with its high-tech future, tracing the journey from ancient trade routes to tomorrow’s capital, data and quantum corridors. Through lenses spanning pre-history and geography to critical minerals, green infrastructure, digital finance and space science, the panel will explore how WA’s unique advantages underpin the emerging stack of green power, data centres, quantum-ready networks, digital assets and AI applications, how the state is plugged into global data, trade, resource and financial corridors that position it as a strategic node.

Key Questions to Address: 
- How do AI, quantum and DLT depend on WA’s strengths/advantages in location, minerals, energy etc.? 
- Where does Perth/WA plug into global data, trade & space corridors today? In 10 yrs? 
- How do we ensure this stack serves humanity (jobs, dignity, well-being) rather than just extract more value?