Business and tech leaders from AMP, Transurban, and Tabcorp reveal how structure, use cases, and experimentation shape scalable enterprise AI in this Data & AI Edge panel discussion.

Richard Fleming – Partner at Bain and Company is joined by Kavitha Mistry – CTO at AMP, Artak Amirbekyan – Head of Data and AI at Transurban, and Amy Shi-Nash – Head of Analytics and AI at Tabcorp to explore how leading organisations are turning AI strategy into execution.

Amy explains that success with generative AI begins with early experimentation to move beyond the hype and uncover practical opportunities and risks.

She highlights the transformational potential of unlocking unstructured data using tools like knowledge graphs, which help surface value from underutilised information.

This foundation enabled her team to shape a grounded AI strategy with clear guardrails.

Kavitha builds on this by emphasising the role of strong leadership, crediting AMP’s CEO as the sponsor of their AI journey.

She describes a structured approach to capability building, including a centralised AI hub, responsible AI frameworks co-developed with academic partners, and a flexible tech stack to avoid vendor lock-in.

Adoption is promoted through tailored initiatives that support different roles across the business.

She notes that executive leaders are critical enablers of domain-specific applications, from everyday productivity to customer experience transformation.

Artak focuses on the importance of well-defined use cases to link AI with business value.

At Transurban, close collaboration with business units has led to high-impact deployments, such as using generative AI to enhance fraud detection through greater explainability.

He also notes that AI benefits extend beyond cost and efficiency, citing ventilation optimisation as a surprising contributor to sustainability goals.

Reflecting on lessons learnt, the panel agrees that strong governance, uplift of internal capabilities, and hands-on engagement are vital.

Kavitha advocates a “go slow to go fast” mindset. Amy emphasises personal experimentation to keep pace with change. Artak stresses that choosing the right first use case is essential to build credibility and momentum.

 

Key takeaways

  • Start with experimentation and clear use cases – Early prototypes help cut through hype, reveal value, and inform realistic AI strategies. A well-chosen first use case builds trust and momentum.
  • Build capability through structure and leadership – Executive sponsorship, responsible frameworks, flexible tech, and role-based adoption strategies are critical for safe, scalable enterprise AI.
  • Combine governance with internal talent and learning – Success depends on strong governance, cross-functional collaboration, and a learning culture that encourages experimentation and adaptation.
Contributors
Amy Shi-Nash Chief Data & Analytics Officer at Tabcorp
Amy is a purpose-driven executive, focused on creating value and competitive advantage through customer obsession and future ready capabilities. She has 25... More

Amy is a purpose-driven executive, focused on creating value and competitive advantage through customer obsession and future ready capabilities. She has 25 years’ experience in Gaming, Banking, Telecoms, Retail, Technology across three continents. Her career is grounded in deep technical expertise, strong commercial acumen, and a passion for delivering meaningful, scalable outcomes for both Customers and Organisations.

As Chief Analytics and Data Officer at Tabcorp, Amy leads its analytics and AI strategy and execution, drove significant business transformation and profitability growth, next-gen customer experience while upholding regulatory compliance and player safety. Previously, Amy held senior leadership positions at CBA, HSBC, and NAB, leading large-scale analytics and data science functions, driving strategic initiatives such as data management modernisation, data-driven decision making and advanced risk practice across complex and highly regulated environments. Amy also co-founded DataSpark, a pioneering data monetisation spin-off, taking it from inception to commercial success, scaling the business into five countries. Through these roles, Amy has demonstrated significant leadership in strategy and innovation, building positive culture and delivering commercial success.

Amy serves in various external roles, such as a Data Board member at MIT Sloan Management School’s CISR and a Board Member at Mental Health Innovations. She was appointed as independent member of AI Public Private Forum by Bank of England and Financial Conduct Authority. Amy is named one of the Top 30 Women Tech Leaders in Australia and Global Top 100 Innovators in Data and Analytics. Her commitment to promoting positive social impact and data-driven innovation continues to make a significant impact both within and outside her professional endeavors.

Amy has a Ph.D in Data Mining, a MSc in AI, a BSc in Computer Science and an MBA. She is also a Graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate for her leadership and contributions in the field of data science.

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Kavitha Mistry CTO at AMP
Kavita Mistry is an accomplished technology leader with expertise in driving transformational change to deliver strategic and commercial objectives. She has more... More

Kavita Mistry is an accomplished technology leader with expertise in driving transformational change to deliver strategic and commercial objectives. She has more than 20 years’ experience across a variety of technology roles specialising in financial services, including superannuation, investments, digital, data, lending, and corporate applications. 

Prior to AMP Kavita was at AustralianSuper, where she held the roles of co-acting-CTO and Head of Enterprise Technology. There, she established and transformed technology capabilities across investments, member experience, cloud infrastructure, employee experience, data, CRM and enterprise technology assets. Prior to this, Kavita held various senior positions over 14 years at ANZ, including leadership roles within Home and Business lending technology.

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Artak Amirbekyan Chief Data Officer at EBOS Group
Artak Amirbekyan, PhD is currently the Chief Data Officer at EBOS Group. Formerly, he was the Head of Data, AI, and ML... More

Artak Amirbekyan, PhD is currently the Chief Data Officer at EBOS Group.

Formerly, he was the Head of Data, AI, and ML at Transurban, where responsibilities included executing data and advanced analytics strategy and managing substantial CAPEX/OPEX budgets.

He recently won the the iTnews Benchmark Award for Best Industrial Project.Prior to this role, Artak was the Executive Manager of AI Labs at Commonwealth Bank, leading a large team of data scientists on strategic projects and capability building.

Earlier experience includes Data Science Manager at Caltex Australia, where Artak led a team focused on analytics capabilities and cloud infrastructure, and Senior Product Data Analyst at CoreLogic RP Data, specialising in predictive modeling and customer analytics.

Artak’s career also encompasses roles as a Computational Scientist at ESSCC, The University of Queensland, and as a Research Assistant at Fraunhofer ITWM, focusing on mathematical modeling and image processing.

Artak Amirbekyan holds a PhD in Data Mining from Griffith University and a Master’s degree in Industrial Mathematics with a focus on Image Processing from the University of Kaiserslautern.

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Richard Fleming Partner at Bain & Company
Richard Fleming is the leader of our Asia-Pacific Advanced Analytics practice. He is also a leader in our Transformation and Change practice.... More

Richard Fleming is the leader of our Asia-Pacific Advanced Analytics practice. He is also a leader in our Transformation and Change practice.

He has more than 25 years of management consulting experience, advising business leaders on their biggest opportunities and challenges. He has supported clients with business transformation across strategy, customer experience, performance improvement, M&A, operating model design, digital, data and technology. His work is increasingly to support clients transform their businesses with digital, data and technology.

He has deep experience working with financial services clients in banking, insurance, wealth management and payments. Richard has also worked across industries including retail, consumer products, telecommunications, medtech and manufacturing.

He has applied his strategy consulting expertise globally, having served clients in the North America, Australia, the United Kingdom, and across Asia.

Prior to joining us in 2001, Richard worked for two other global consulting firms with a focus on technology.

He earned an MBA from Australian Graduate School of Management and a BA with Honors in physics from Oxford University.

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