The Tax Institute today has unveiled the full lineup of speakers for The Tax Summit, the largest tax event in the southern hemisphere. Co-Founder of award-winning AI company Codec and A-list AI and digital transformation expert Mark Adams will be delivering the keynote VIP address, joining other high-profile experts such as Rob Heferen, Commissioner of Taxation and Daniel Murray, CEO & Founder, Empathic Consulting.
Having worked with the leaders ranging from Barack Obama to Buckingham Palace, Mark has over 100 awards from Cannes Lions to Emmys, and is Chairman of the AI Leadership Council.
In line with the theme for The Tax Summit 2026, ‘Powered by People’, Mark’s keynote address, Staying Sane in the Age of Extreme Innovation, explores how we can embrace AI technology without becoming consumed by it.
In this provocative keynote, Mark reveals the timeless principles that sit beneath every meaningful innovation, showing that while technology changes, human behaviour and human needs remain utterly consistent.
Mark explores why the future will belong to humans who understand what machines cannot replace: Judgement. Trust. Creativity. Curiosity. Connection. Care.
“We are thrilled to welcome Mark Adams to The Tax Summit this year. Embracing digital innovation while recognising the value that people continue to bring to the tax profession and the tax system is an important balance to strike as we move into the future. I think tax practitioners will benefit from Mark’s insights on navigating that balance in the age of AI,” said Scott Treatt, CTA, CEO of The Tax Institute.
“Mark is playing a pivotal role in the world’s digital landscape, shifting AI from an abstract buzzword into a living thing audiences can understand and utilise – which is particularly relevant to the tax landscape, where AI is rapidly influencing how our practitioners work. Each year at The Tax Summit we aim to bring together the tax profession to learn, connect and be inspired by leading thinkers, and we are very excited to hear what Mark has to say about the future of the profession.”
Taking place from 2-4 September 2026 at the ICC, The Tax Summit is Australia’s largest annual tax event, featuring over 70 speakers, more than 40 sessions, over 1,000 attendees and 20 CPD hours.
Now in its 7th year, The Tax Summit features eight topic streams, including keynotes, corporate tax, AI, hot topics, property, SME, tax disputes and a next generation stream. Previous speakers of note include Julie Bishop, The Hon Malcolm Turnbull AC and Dominic Price from Atlassian.
The event theme for 2026 is ‘powered by people’, because while digital innovation, major global events and economic, cultural and political shifts are rewiring the world as we know it, our tax system isn’t built by algorithms and bytes. It’s built by people.
With more than 600 tickets sold so far, The Tax Summit 2026 is already proving to be in high demand. Tickets for individuals and businesses are still available and can be purchased via https://www.taxinstitute.com.au/tax-summit until September 1, but attendees are encouraged to book early to ensure they can attend their desired sessions and the highly anticipated Welcome Reception and Gala Dinner.
