Club Spotlight: AI & ML Society

We caught up with Zac Knight, Bachelor of IT graduate, current Master of Artificial Intelligence student, and the founding president of the QUT AI & ML Society, a student-led club giving students a front‑row seat to one of the fastest‑moving fields in tech. From hands‑on hackathons to packed‑out industry events, we asked Zac to break down what the club is all about to and what’s next for the students shaping QUT’s AI future.

How did the AI & ML Society get started?

The QUT AI & ML Society (AIML) was created to give students earlier exposure to the world of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. With the introduction of new AI majors in the QUT Bachelor of Information Technology and QUT Bachelor of Data Science, we saw an opportunity to create a space where students could start exploring these technologies earlier. This club aims to bring together students who are curious about AI, help them learn from each other, and build a passionate community around a field that is quickly becoming one of the most important areas of modern technology.

How would you describe the club’s mission?

The mission of QUT AIML is to empower the next generation of innovators in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. We bring together students of all experience levels who are curious about AI and want to learn more, whether they are just getting started or already building their own projects. Through hands-on workshops, technical projects, and hackathons, members have the chance to experiment with new ideas and develop practical skills. The club also creates opportunities to connect with industry and meet other students with similar interests, building a community where people can collaborate, share ideas, and work together to create something meaningful.

Can students from non‑technical backgrounds join?

Absolutely. QUT AIML welcomes students of all experience levels. During weekly project nights held from Weeks 2 to 9, members join groups based on their interests, such as AI model development, data organisation, user interfaces, and overall functionality. Each group works on a different piece of the project, which comes together over the weeks to form a complete, functioning system. This hands-on approach helps members learn AI technologies and frameworks while gradually building their skills. The Executive Team guides and supports students throughout, making sure everyone can contribute and grow, no matter their background.

What types of events or activities does the club run?

QUT AIML offers a variety of events for students to learn, collaborate, and connect with the AI community. The club’s core activity is weekly project nights, where members work in teams to develop AI projects from start to finish. Additionally, we host industry workshops that give members the chance to learn from and network with AI professionals. Larger-scale events include the AIML Hackathon, and the flagship Industry Night held in collaboration with QUT BANDS, providing opportunities for hands-on experience and real-world connections.

What emerging trend in AI/ML should students pay more attention to?

One trend students should pay close attention to is the rapid development of large language models (LLMs), which have generated significant interest within our own community. These models are a major advancement within Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning that are capable of understanding and generating human-like text, writing code, analysing data, and assisting with a wide range of complex tasks. Their growing capabilities are changing how people interact with technology and how software systems are built. As a result, understanding how LLMs work, their limitations, and how they can be applied responsibly is becoming an increasingly valuable skill for students interested in the future of AI.