The University of Melbourne will soon host Fulbright Scholar and artificial intelligence (AI) expert Professor William C Regli at Melbourne National Security and Defence (MNSD).
Professor Regli is a global expert in computer science with more than 30 years' experience working across advanced AI, autonomy, defence innovation, national security and AI risk.
University of Melbourne Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global, Culture and Engagement) Professor Michael Wesley said Professor Regli's visit provides an important opportunity to exchange US and Australian perspectives on matters of strategic interest to both nations.
"International research and collaboration, including with the US, is critical to Australia and our region's ongoing security and safety," Professor Wesley said.
"We look forward to welcoming Professor Regli to MNSD and to advancing essential knowledge in the responsible use of AI, including how we can better understand and reduce risk."
Professor Regli is currently a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Maryland and previously served as the inaugural Executive Director of the University's Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS).
He is a former Senior Advisor on AI risk modelling at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and has previously held senior positions at various US government and research organisations. These include Scientific Adviser to the US Department of Energy, member of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, and Deputy Director of the Defense Sciences Office at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
The Fulbright Scholarship is the United States' flagship foreign exchange program, pairing leading US academics and professionals with host institutions internationally to support professional development, research collaborations and cultural exchange.
MNSD was established in August 2026 to lead the University's coordination on defence-related interdisciplinary research and industry engagement, supporting the Australian and Victorian government's responses to national security across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.
As part of his visit, Professor Regli will deliver a special lecture on 10 November entitled Perspectives on AI: Frameworks for understanding and reducing risk, as part of the AI at Melbourne Colloquium series at Melbourne Connect.
