David is a seasoned expert in education and data analytics, with extensive experience in AI-driven initiatives and strategic transformations.
He has successfully led projects across higher education, government, and disability services, leveraging AI and advanced analytics to deliver actionable insights and innovative solutions. David’s ability to align AI technologies with organisational goals ensures measurable improvements in efficiency, decision-making, and user experience.
Influential work
- Designed and piloted an AI-powered solution for a government department to streamline the assessment of state significant development applications, automating key elements of the process, breaking complex planning documents into structured, metadata-tagged chunks, and applying semantic search logic to produce decision-ready outputs
- Was a technical adviser to the independent evaluation of the APS’ use of Copilot for Microsoft 365, which included participation from more than 7000 APS staff from more than 50 agencies, exploring the safe and responsible use of generative AI in a government context, with deep insight into public sector use cases and AI adoption across many different workforces and operating models
- Currently advising a Queensland university on the market opportunity and the skills requirements for a new program in Applied Artificial Intelligence
- Led the creation of a robust RTO classification system for Jobs and Skills Australia, utilising machine learning to improve VET provider market analysis
- Developed skill profiles for various occupations and VET qualifications, utilising large datasets and machine learning to inform significant training and economic reforms
- Managed the automation of a social housing commissioning report for a state department, which resulted in a substantial reduction in production time and enhanced data quality control
- Led the development of a mathematical optimisation tool for a state government authority contact centre, building an R/Shiny application to optimise call-taker shifts based on existing forecast incoming call data and identifying an 11 per cent reduction in staffing costs or reinvestment of time into other initiatives
- Developed 15 in-house AI applications at Nous with more than 700 users, leading the prototyping and development of dozens of use cases for internal use and spearheading Nous' adoption of a careful yet open-minded approach to AI
Outside of Nous
Before joining Nous, David worked as a corporate lawyer for over six years at two leading international law firms in Australia and Vietnam. He is an education sector expert who has worked with leaders from universities and state education departments on strategic challenges and transformation.
Outside of Nous, David is board member of the Lort Smith Animal Hospital. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Melbourne Business School and Bachelors of Laws (Honours) and Arts from the University of Melbourne.
In his spare time...
David applies his professional interest in data and analytics to his hobbies of cycling and running.