Inspiring Design

Hosted by Rashan Senanayake

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Oct 2026

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About the show

’Inspiring Design’ with our host Rashan Senanayake, is the intersection of design, technology and education. Our featured guests are the best of the best, sharing their knowledge in design, global technologies, design thinking, industry standards and most importantly how it connects back to education. This is the way to transform new realities, enabling preferred futures.

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60 recent

October 5, 202649 min

S05 : Ep. 12 : What Should Education Protect in the Age of AI? Featuring Dr. Leon Furze

In this episode, we rethink education in the age of AI! Our host Rashan Senanayake sits down with Dr Leon Furze: educator, researcher, author and one of Australia’s leading voices in generative AI and education, exploring how AI is rapidly reshaping teaching, learning and assessment (what else is new!?). As a co-developer of the globally adopted AI Assessment Scale, Dr. Leon shares what meaningful assessment design looks like when students have powerful AI tools at their fingertips, why “AI-proofing” learning may be the wrong goal, and where schools are getting AI capability wrong. Rashan and Leon unpack how educators can embrace AI without becoming uncritical consumers, the skills teachers and students will need as we move beyond chatbots into agents, deepfakes and synthetic media, and why critical thinking, professional judgement and strong leadership will matter more than ever. Tune in as two changemakers tackle one of the biggest questions facing education today: what should we protect, and what are we willing to rethink, in an AI-enabled world?

February 16, 20261 hr 5 min

S04 : Ep. 11 : Post-Quantum Cryptography: Designing Cybersecurity Beyond Quantum Computing, Featuring Craig Costello

In this episode, we go quantum! Our host Rashan Senanayake sits down with Professor Craig Costello, a leading cryptographer from Queensland University of Technology and former Microsoft Research scientist, to demystify how cryptography quietly secures our everyday digital lives, from emails, online banking, and messaging apps to the global systems we rely on, and why these foundations must evolve as quantum computing becomes a reality, exploring what post-quantum cryptography really means, how quantum computers threaten today’s cybersecurity standards, how quantum-resistant global security frameworks are being developed, and why mathematics, education, and early exposure to STEM remain critical to shaping a secure digital future for education, technology, government, and business alike.

January 20, 20261 hr 0 min

S05 : Ep. 10 : Can AI Ever Be Conscious? A Buddhist Perspective on Intelligence, Ethics & Humanity Featuring Ajahn Dhammasiha

As artificial intelligence accelerates at an unprecedented pace, one question becomes impossible to ignore: What truly makes us human? Watch on Youtube? Click Here In this deeply reflective and thought-provoking episode, host Rashan Senanayake sits down with Ajahn Dhammasiha, a Buddhist monk and long-time teacher, to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, consciousness, ethics, and ancient Buddhist wisdom. Together, they unpack why intelligence is not the same as wisdom, why data and computation fall short of consciousness, and why empathy, conscience, and moral responsibility remain uniquely human qualities, at least for now. Ajahn Dhammasiha offers a rare perspective on AI through the lens of Buddhism, framing it not as a belief system, but as a reproducible science of the mind. The conversation challenges materialistic views of intelligence and raises urgent ethical questions about how emerging technologies should be designed, governed, and guided. This is not a technical discussion about code or computation, but a human conversation about responsibility, ethics, and the future of intelligence itself. If you’re working in technology, education, leadership, design, policy, or innovation, or simply curious about the future we’re building, this episode will challenge how you think about AI, consciousness, and what it truly means to be human.

November 19, 202546 min

S05 : Ep. 09 : The Truth About AI’s Global Impact: A World Economic Forum Perspective Featuring Maria Basso

In this international episode, our host Rashan Senanayake speaks with Maria Basso, Head of AI Applications and Impact at the World Economic Forum’s Centre for AI Excellence, for a sharp, insightful look into how AI is transforming industries at a global perspective. Maria breaks down how organisations are moving beyond pilots into real, measurable AI deployment, offering rare inside perspectives on the Forum’s MINDS programme and the AI-First initiative, which are reshaping business models, operating systems and global collaboration. Tune into understand the latest AI development as they explore the biggest opportunities and risks with AI’s rapid rise, the importance of inclusive adoption across economies, and how international cooperation will define the next decade of responsible innovation. Maria also shares which emerging AI capabilities excite her the most, including AI agents, outlook towards Agentic AI and what concerns global leaders are paying closest attention to as AI reshapes societies, especially in developing regions. A powerful, future-focused conversation you won’t want to miss. Want to understand AI at a global scale? This episode is for you. Watch Full Video on Youtube: Click Here Shownotes and more! Click Here

April 19, 202540 min

S05 : Ep. 08 : Next Generation of Mapping: Harnessing Digital Twins, Augmented Reality, 3D Modelling + more Featuring Amber Standley

The next generation of mapping is here! In this episode, our Rashan Senanayake sits down with design visionary Amber Standley, Co-founder and CXO of Terria, to explore the cutting edge of spatial technology and its future impact on our world. From her roots in creative design to pioneering in augmented reality and digital twins, Amber shares how her journey has led to reshaping the way we visualise data. Learn how platforms like Terria are empowering everyday users, governments, and industries to create immersive, accessible, and intelligent geospatial experiences—no coding required, open sourced! Both Amber and Rashan detail and break down complex terms like reality mesh, BIM models, and automation in digital twins, and discuss how they're revolutionising urban planning, sustainability, property management, and even education. Exploring how digital twins are evolving from visualisation tools to real-time decision-making engines, to the power of visual data in tackling climate change and community engagement for meaningful impact! Whether you're into tech, design, data, or urban innovation—this episode will change the way you see the world (literally).

January 20, 202545 min

S05 : Ep. 07 : Spatial Computing: The Latest in VR / AR and XR, featuring Pradeep Khanna

We are in the era of a mixed reality – to be specific, many types of ‘realities’! Our host Rashan Senanayake speaks with Pradeep Khanna, a global thought leader and coach in immersive technologies, to explore the transformative world of Spatial Computing. Pradeep unpacks the fundamentals of Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Extended Reality (XR), collectively shaping the future of immersive experiences. He explains how these technologies work, their capabilities, and what we can expect as they continue to evolve with the mix of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Highlighting the critical role of Spatial Computing in education, Pradeep discusses the skills students need to thrive in a tech-driven future and the adjustments policymakers must consider for a safe and successful use of this amazing technology. He dives into how educators can leverage design thinking to foster creative and critical thinking skills, enabling students to navigate and elevate human capability alongside this technology. Pradeep also shares strategies for schools to integrate Spatial Computing into learning and offers practical advice for students aiming to succeed in this rapidly advancing field. Join us for this creative and insightful conversation with Pradeep Khanna and discover the many realities that include the world of Spatial Computing technology.

October 21, 202445 min

S05 : Ep. 06 :Quantum Computing: The next step in human evolution? Featuring Stephanie Pons

‘Computing’ as you have never seen before, Welcome to the Quantum Era! Stephanie Pons (Deloitte Australia and part of the Quantum Technologies team), alongside our host Rashan Senanayake, explore the cutting-edge world of Quantum Computing (QC). Stephanie breaks down what exactly entails QC and why it’s crucial for our future, and how it differs from the personal computing world that we know. She also sheds light on other quantum technologies, such as quantum sensing, and the critical role they will play in various industries. Stephanie discusses why it’s essential for schools to introduce quantum concepts, outlining the key skills needed for students to thrive in this field. She also shares strategies for educators to help students understand and engage with quantum technologies. Additionally, the episode dives into the role of design thinking in harnessing quantum's potential and offers insights into why students should get involved in this revolutionary area. Tune-in to learn about this disruptive technology, shaping the future ahead of us.

September 16, 202452 min

S05 : Ep. 05 : AI vs. Energy: A Critical Message For All featuring Yolande Strengers & Melissa Gregg

Each click costs us! In this international episode we explore the growing energy demands of artificial intelligence and what that means for our future. Alongside our host Rashan Senanayake, expert speakers Yolande Strengers (Professor of Digital Technology and Society at Monash University's Emerging Technologies Research Lab) and Melissa Gregg (an author, ethnographer and consultant on sustainability strategy), examines the current relationship between AI and energy consumption, looking ahead to 2035-2040, and discussing practical strategies for reducing our digital footprint. But its not all doom and gloom, learn how the energy sector is adapting and discover emerging career pathways in sustainable tech, and get advice for educators and students navigating this evolving landscape. Tune in for insights on the power behind AI and how we can contribute to a more sustainable future – ignorance is no longer bliss!

August 19, 202436 min

S05 : Ep. 04 : Building 2.0: The Next Iteration of Architecture & Building Design featuring Chris Paterson

Join us in this episode as we explore the future of architecture with Chris Paterson, Principal Architect at Populous Brisbane. Chris shares his story and explains Building 2.0, including its technologies, sustainability practices, and the concept of Smart Buildings. He discusses the future of construction, its impact on conventional architecture, and the integration of IoT, Mixed Reality, and Big Data. Chris highlights the importance of these advancements for schools, the skills required, and the role of design thinking in modern architecture. He also offers advice for future professionals and educators and provides resources for further learning. Whether you're a professional, educator, or student, this episode offers valuable insights into the evolving world of architecture.

July 22, 202440 min

S05 : Ep. 03 : Blockchain Technology: Underestimated, Yet Crucial for Industry Success featuring Amy-Rose Goodey

Are we living in a Black Mirror (Netflix) episode? Continuing our hunt for knowledge in understanding emerging technologies, this episode features Amy-Rose explains the fundamentals of blockchain technology, its importance for the future, and its impact on various industries. She highlights the need for blockchain education in schools, essential skills for students, and its effect on industry. Additionally, Amy unpacked the great convergence that is forecasted where various emerging technologies will be uniformly working together and what can be expected in the near future. Blockchain is close to working alongside AI and Quantum Computing, working towards personal computing. Finally, Amy explores the role of design thinking in blockchain and offers advice for students to succeed in this evolving field. This episode is not to be missed so tune in for an insightful discussion on blockchain technology and its implications for industry and education.

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