Better Boards Conference 2026
Pathfinders – Governing with Courage
31 July - 1 August • Cairns Convention Centre
Presentation
AI... Opportunity or Threat?
Rinske Geerlings
Managing Director, Business As Usual
Rinske is a multi-award winning, internationally known consultant, speaker and certified Business Continuity Management (BCM), Information Security and Risk Management trainer. She's worked with NFP Boards across Australia on workshopping Risk Appetite, AI Threats & Opportunities, and Business Continuity Plans (BCPs).
She was awarded Risk Consultant of the Year 2017 (RMIA/Australasia), Outstanding Security Consultant 2019 Finalist (OSPAs) and Australian Women in Security Awards Finalist 2022.
Rinske draws on more than 25 years' experience gained during roles across Australasia, Africa, Europe and South America. In 2006 she founded Business As Usual, under which she has assisted dozens of local, State and Federal Government agencies, Corporates and SMEs, including the Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet, the High Court of Australia, 15 Central Banks, DFAT, Lenovo, BBC, Shell and Fuji Xerox.
Rinske applies a fresh, energetic, fun, practical, easy-to-apply, innovative approach to topics often perceived as dull and cumbersome.
She holds ISO 22301, ISO 31000, ISO 27001, ISO 22361, ISO 22316, ISO 42001, ISO 27032, CBCP, MBCI, ITIL, PRINCE2 and COBIT certifications.
Explore the strategic implications of Artificial Intelligence, its transformative efficiencies as well as its emerging threats. Key challenges include the reliability of AI-generated content, heightened information security exposures, and the widening talent gap as organisations—particularly those with limited budgets such as many NFPs—struggle to secure staff with advanced AI capabilities.
A core element of AI Risk Management is the development of strong governance frameworks and ethical standards. We will examine how leading organisations apply tools such as impact assessments, model explainability, human oversight, and rigorous validation to ensure AI systems operate safely and as intended.
Increasingly, principles of fairness, accountability and transparency (FAT) are being embedded into responsible AI practices. We also look at global regulations and standards, including the EU AI Act and ISO 42001, which categorise AI by risk and facilitate new compliance obligations.
This session equips Board Directors and Executives with cutting-edge insights into managing AI-related risks. You will gain a deeper understanding of both the significant opportunities modern AI offers and the new complexities it introduces for organisations.
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