Tea & Tech Cafe

A relaxed showcase of innovative technologies, designed for older people.

Monday 30 Nov + Tuesday 1 Dec

10 am-4 pm

Join us for Tea & Tech Cafe - a relaxed two-day event, showcasing innovative technologies designed to support older people, carers and aged care organisations. Run by the UNSW Big Anxiety Research Centre.

We invite people of all ages, along with service providers and business leaders, to connect with UNSW researchers pioneering Artificial Intelligence (AI), virtual reality, robotics and sensory environments. Visitors will discover how emerging technologies can help people stay connected, stimulated, active and well for longer.

Drop in and stay as long as you like.

This is a dementia friendly event.

All-day interactive demonstrations, Monday + Tuesday, 10 am - 4pm

• AI companions by PsychoSocialTech, designed to support loneliness, anxiety, isolation and ageing, including Viv, the world's first digitally embodied AI dementia peer companion

• Immersive sensory and sound installations by leading artists and technologists
• Virtual Reality experiences

• Domestic robots and robot pets

• Dementia hacks - DIY adaptive technology

• Tea and cake service by robots

Meet the innovators: visitors can speak directly with UNSW researchers, dementia advocates and technology innovators working at the forefront of AI, VR, robotics and psychosocial technologies.

Talking About Tech panel, Monday 30 Nov, 1 - 2 pm, with leading voices in dementia, technology and public policy:

• The clinician: Scientia Professor Henry Brodaty, Senior Australian of the Year - a psychiatrist who is transforming the diagnosis, care and prevention of dementia at the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA).
• The technology innovator: Scientia Professor Jill Bennett, leader of UNSW’s psychosocial technology program, developing AI companionship for older people, as well as virtual reality tools for improving wellbeing.
• The dementia Advocate: Gwenda Darling, Palawa woman and former member of the Aged Care Council of Elders, living with frontotemporal dementia.
• The Politician: Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP, Assistant Minister for Immigration, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Member for Kingsford Smith - advocate for healthy ageing.
• The moderator: Professor the Hon. Verity Firth AM, Vice-President Societal Impact, Equity and Engagement, UNSW.

Film Screening, Tuesday 1 Dec, 2:30 pm - 4 pm

Special screening of Conscious, an award-winning new film by director Suki Chan. Described as a hopeful and cinematic experience, taking us closer to understanding the strength and frailty of the human mind. It asks: What can a neuroscientist and three people living with dementia tell us about the nature of consciousness in a technological age?

The screening will be followed by a relaxed, facilitated discussion with guests with lived experience.

Session Times

To ensure comfort and manage visitor numbers, attendees are invited to register for one of the following sessions on either day. Guests are welcome to stay longer or arrive earlier than their selected session.

Morning Session: 10:00am-1:00pm

Afternoon Session: 1:00pm-4:00pm

Refreshments

Complimentary tea, refreshments and cake will be available throughout the day. Registration is encouraged for catering purposes.

Accessibility

The venue is located at the UNSW Health Translation Hub. Accessible drop-off at the venue entrance can be arranged for visitors who are unable to walk from nearby parking or public transport. The Seminar Room is located on the Ground Floor of the Health Translation Hub and is wheelchair accessible.

For event enquiries or to discuss your access requirements, please email s.boustead@unsw.edu.au.

This event is organised by the UNSW Big Anxiety Research Centre, with support from the Sydney Partnership for Health, Education, Research and Enterprise (SPHERE).