Bert Verhoeven

Bert Verhoeven is an internationally recognised academic, entrepreneur and thought leader in AI-integrated education. As Senior Lecturer and founding Director of the Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E) Academy at Newcastle Business School, University of Newcastle — Australia’s first University wide academy of its kind — Bert drives cross-disciplinary innovation through Design Science Research, I&E competency education and Generative AI proficiency. Since January 2023, he has led one of the earliest and most comprehensive implementations of mandatory GenAI use in Australian business education, and has pioneered the Human-Centric AI-First (HCAIF/3P) pedagogical framework, empowering individuals and teams to harness GenAI to tackle complex challenges, accelerate expertise and deliver sustainable, real-world impact, reshaping how higher education verifies learning in the age of AI. His work spans curriculum and business-model innovation, cross-sector ecosystem building, and global keynote speaking/publications — including at Oxford University, AWS, the Academy of Management, UNESCO, APQN Hong Kong, AACSB and the London School of Economics Impact Blog.