Macquarie University has cemented its position as a leader in artificial intelligence research with major success at the Australian AI Awards.
Macquarie spin-out Apate.ai won the AI Innovator – Consumer Banking award, and Professor Dali Kaafar won the AI Academic/Researcher of the Year award, while Professor Amin Beheshti was named a finalist for AI Leader of the Year – Enterprise.
Professor Beheshti was the inaugural winner of the AI Academic/Researcher of the Year award in 2024, making Macquarie the home of back-to-back winners in this important category.
Professor Kaafar, a globally recognised cybersecurity expert and Executive Director of the Macquarie University Cyber Security Hub, specialises in privacy-preserving technologies and AI-driven fraud prevention. He is also founder and CEO of Macquarie spin-out, Apate.ai.
“These awards recognise the bridge we’ve built between world-class research and real-world application,” Professor Kaafar said.
“At Macquarie University and through Apate.ai, we don’t just apply existing AI models: we advance fundamental AI modelling and engineering to create systems to genuinely protect people and rebuild trust in digital communications.
“This recognition is a proud moment reflecting years of rigorous work for both our research and innovation teams,” he said.
Professor Beheshti, Professor of Data Science and founder and director of the Centre for Applied Artificial Intelligence, is a leader in applied AI and big data research.
“Being a finalist this year, as the only university represented in the Enterprise category, shows the breadth of our AI research at Macquarie and how we are having real-world impact with our business solutions such as Process GPT,” Professor Beheshti said.
“Our work in AI is driving innovation across multiple sectors.”
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Sakkie Pretorius congratulated both researchers.
“These awards recognise the outstanding contributions our researchers are making to advance AI research in Australia, in cybersecurity, applied AI, fraud prevention, and the ethical application of AI technologies,” Professor Pretorius said.
“We’re at the cusp of world-changing technology with AI and we need robust, well-researched, solid solutions. Dali and Amin exemplify Macquarie’s commitment to outstanding, cutting-edge research delivering real-world impact.”
The Australian AI Awards, held this year on Wednesday November 5, recognised individuals and businesses that have developed innovative AI solutions across diverse sectors.
Macquarie’s AI research was also recognised at the Australian Financial Review Most Innovative Organisation 2025 Awards in October. Apate.ai won the Most Innovative Technology company and Macquarie’s Centre for Applied Artificial Intelligence was a finalist in the Government, Education & Not-For-Profit award – the only research centre named.