Why AI, Why Now — HCAA Newcastle Presentation Recap
Last night I had the privilege of speaking at the Hydraulic Consultants Association of Australasia (HCAA) General Meeting at Merewether Surfhouse.
A big thank you to Shaun Wallace from WDG Group for the invitation to present, and special mentions to Peter George from Singleton Council, Hugh Woollett from Northrop, and the team from Hunter Water for their valuable contributions to the evening.
A Full House of Hydraulic Minds
The event brought together around 100 hydraulic professionals — from plumbers to engineers, educators to regulatory bodies — all united by a shared interest in the evolving world of hydraulic design and practice.
I was the final speaker of the night, following insightful presentations on process updates from Singleton Council and slab deflection considerations by Northrop. My session, titled “Why AI, Why Now”, explored the current state of artificial intelligence and its growing relevance across industries, including engineering and design.
Engagement That Flowed
Despite being the last talk of the evening, the energy in the room stayed high. We fielded at least nine questions during the Q&A, reflecting genuine curiosity and excitement about how AI could be leveraged to streamline workflows, enhance communication, and improve professional efficiency within the hydraulic sector.
The presentation mixed insights with a bit of entertainment — featuring a guest appearance by ‘Chatto’, psyborg®’s resident AI sidekick — which kept the session light-hearted yet deeply informative.
AI: From Curiosity to Capability
The talk centred on practical ways professionals can start using AI tools today, covering:
- Building a Brand Codex to maintain consistency across communications.
- Using AI for content generation — from reports to emails, blogs, and proposals.
- Understanding AI ethics, validation, and security for responsible adoption.
- Embracing small steps that lead to big shifts, starting with one workflow at a time.
Each point was supported with real examples from psyborg® projects and the live demonstrations from my presentation slides.
The Takeaway
AI isn’t about replacing people — it’s about amplifying what we do best. As I shared in closing, “You may not be replaced by AI, but you will certainly be replaced by someone using AI better than you.”
That sentiment hit home. And judging by the post-presentation conversations, there’s a growing recognition that AI can become an invaluable collaborator for hydraulic engineers and designers — one that strengthens the profession rather than threatens it.
In Summary
Thank you again to HCAA, Shaun Wallace, and all attendees for the opportunity to share and connect. The engagement and curiosity in the room were a clear signal:
AI is no longer a future concept — it’s a practical tool for today’s professionals.
part mind. part machine.
Daniel Borg
Creative Director
psyborg® was founded by Daniel Borg, an Honours Graduate in Design from the University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia. Daniel also has an Associate Diploma in Industrial Engineering and has experience from within the Engineering & Advertising Industries.
Daniel has completed over 2800 design projects consisting of branding, content marketing, digital marketing, illustration, web design, and printed projects since psyborg® was first founded. psyborg® is located in Lake Macquarie, Newcastle but services business Nation wide.
I really do enjoy getting feedback so please let me know your thoughts on this or any of my articles in the comments field or on social media below.
Cheers Daniel