Lee Hickin in

Lee Hickin

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Executive Director at National AI Centre
📍 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Lee Hickin is the Executive Director of Australias National AI Centre, leveraging over 30 years of experience from senior roles at Microsoft and Amazon Web Services. He focuses on guiding the safe and responsible adoption of AI across industry and society. Colleagues describe him as a passionate, professional, and rock-solid leader.

Outside of his primary professional focus, Lee is an advocate for youth development, serving on the advisory board for Xolvi, a platform connecting young people with inspirational leaders. He participated in school productions in his youth, even playing the lead in "Bugsy Malone, " and fondly remembers a school camping trip to Europe.

Unique fact: Lee was awarded the Microsoft Platinum Pinnacle (formerly the Founders Award), the highest honor at Microsoft, given to only 23 people globally in that year.

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Experience
7 Years
Current Role
Executive Director
Job Level
Senior
Location
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Personality Overview

How Lee shows up

Communication Style
Decision Approach
Work Preference

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Priorities

Topics Lee cares about

Responsible AI Adoption
His current role at the National AI Centre and previous work at Microsoft are centered on creating frameworks for the safe, trusted, and ethical adoption of AI.
AI Policy & Governance
Serves on government advisory boards in Australia and Singapore, actively shaping policy and safety standards for AI systems and regulation.
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Career

Work history

5-2025
Executive Director
National AI Centre
5-2025
Divisional Head
Department of Industry, Science and Resources
3-2021
AI Advisory and Review Committee Member
NSW Department of Customer Service
10-2022
Advisory Board Member
Xolvit
9-2023 - 4-2025
AI Technology & Policy Lead Asia
Microsoft
In the press

Media appearances

Gov taps Microsoft's policy chief to lead National AI Centre. Featured in Australian Institute of Company Directors (ia.acs.org.au)
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Lee Hickin | Department of Industry Science and Resources. Featured in Department of Industry, Science and Resources (Australian Government)
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Education
1989 - 1993
Bachelor of Science - BS (Honors)
Bournemouth University
Social presence
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Behavioral profile

DISC profile (public)

DISC behavioral profile

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