Dr Lucy Shinners1, Dr Andrew Goodman1
1Research Fellow, Infection Prevention and Vascular Access Device Group, The University of Queensland, 2Research Scientist, CSIRO
Biography:
Dr Shinners is a Research Fellow at The University of Queensland’s Infection Prevention and Vascular Access Device group and a clinician‑researcher with 25 years of ICU nursing experience. Her work examines how emerging technologies can strengthen safe, high‑quality and culturally responsive care. Using a sociotechnical lens, she studies how artificial intelligence shapes workforce practice, decision‑making and safe adoption. She collaborates with Indigenous health organisations to co‑design community‑led technological solutions and infection prevention and vascular access safety, exploring AI‑enabled approaches for risk prediction, surveillance and improved clinical governance.
Dr Andrew Goodman is a Research Scientist at CSIROs digital health program, leading digital health initiatives establishing an evidence base for technology in health care specific to the interests and needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. He is leading a program of work at CSIRO building an evidence base to catalyse a more inclusive AI development and governance ecosystem, providing the first evidence base of how AI could be responsibly used to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
Abstract:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have consistently emphasised that future health innovation, including emerging AI systems, must be culturally safe, governed by Indigenous leadership, and grounded in community priorities. Responding to this call, our project partnered with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet to develop a proof‑of‑concept large language model capable of appraising health evidence through an Indigenous‑defined cultural lens. Guided by nationally recognised Indigenous frameworks, we co‑designed a seven‑criteria rubric and undertook iterative, Indigenous‑led validation to test its cultural accuracy, usability, and trustworthiness. This work demonstrates how culturally safe AI can be built from inception, rather than retrofitted, and highlights the strengths of long‑standing partnerships with Indigenous organisations in shaping ethical, community‑aligned technologies.
For infection prevention specialists, this project underscores that culturally safe innovation is foundational to clinical excellence. As healthcare increasingly relies on rapid evidence synthesis, practice evaluation, and data‑driven decision‑making, AI tools will influence how infection risks are assessed, how vascular access devices are selected, and how guidelines evolve. Embedding Indigenous governance early ensures these innovations contribute to closing the gap rather than widening it. Our presentation will showcase this program of work, illustrating how Indigenous‑led AI development can guide safer, more accountable health technologies across all domains of care.