Lunch and Learn - Session 10: Accelerate software development with AI
As the Australian Digital Health Agency continues to expand its software engineering and data modelling capabilities, the pressure to deliver secure, standards-compliant, and user-centric solutions has never been greater. To meet this growing demand, we turned to AI—not just as a tool, but as a strategic enabler of speed, quality, and innovation.
One of our key implementations has been GitHub Copilot, integrated directly into our development environments. We use it across three modes—Ask, Edit, and Agent—each tailored to different stages of the engineering workflow. With access to a wide range of large language models, we can align AI capabilities with specific use cases, from code generation and automation to quality assurance and design research.
Presenter
Megan Doherty
Megan Doherty is the Director of Software Engineering at the Australian Digital Health Agency, where she leads the strategic direction and delivery of digital solutions that support Australia’s evolving health landscape. With over a decade of experience in government technology leadership, Megan is known for driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and delivering high-impact outcomes in complex environments.
Under her leadership, the Agency has successfully integrated GitHub Copilot into its development workflows—transforming how engineering teams write, review, and optimise code. This initiative has accelerated delivery timelines, improved code quality, and empowered teams to focus on strategic problem-solving. Megan’s approach to AI adoption balances innovation with governance, ensuring alignment with public sector standards and security requirements.
Facilitator
Daniel Parris
Daniel Parris is an Engagement Manager with GovAI, a whole-of-government program in the Department of Finance working to enable responsible and effective AI adoption across the Australian Public Service (APS). In his role, Daniel works with agencies to accelerate AI adoption through information sharing, capability building, and supporting cross-agency connections. He also oversees the APS AI Use Case Library, which is a central GovAI resource showcasing real-world AI applications in Government, promoting reuse, and fostering innovation across the public sector.
Before joining GovAI, Daniel worked across governance, sustainability, and policy settings. This included work on APS climate reporting, ESG research and methodology design for global investors, and academic research on sustainable finance and climate risk. Daniel has also facilitated group programs in diverse settings, from interactive public service workshops to immersive cultural experiences in remote Indigenous communities.
Participant benefits
Understanding the implementation process of AI in an Australian Government Agency and the steps taken to receive approvals.
Gain insights into the benefits the teams are experiencing in the use of AI.
Gain insights on AI not as a set and forget tool it requires continuous reviews and governance.
Suitable for
All Staff
Category and User level
This learning experience aligns with the Digital Profession at the Foundation level.
Price
Free of charge.