Helen Bearpark Memorial Lecture - Artificial Intelligence in sleep medicine: evidence from Sleep Revolution and implications for practice (plenary session)
| Friday, November 13, 2026 |
| 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM |
Details
Artificial intelligence and other automated capabilities are rapidly transforming polysomnography and sleep technologies, offering unprecedented opportunities for diagnostic precision and clinical insight. However, to ensure our profession leads this transition rather than reacting to it, we must establish clear frameworks for validation, governance and workforce integration.
This ANZSSA Plenary Session features Professor Erna Sif Arnardóttir who will present key findings from the European Union Horizon 2020–funded Sleep Revolution project, a multinational collaboration involving 39 partners across Europe and Australia. Drawing on large-scale datasets and advanced modelling, this talk provides critical insight into both current opportunities and limitations of AI-driven sleep diagnostics.
In this session national experts will contextualise these global advances within Australian technical practice, accreditation standards and clinical governance. The session will conclude with a moderated and interactive panel focused on actionable, practical steps for responsible AI implementation in our laboratories.
Speaker
Mrs Jane Douglas
President
ANZSSA
ANZSSA Awards
8:30 AM - 8:35 AMBiography
With 14 years experience as a Sleep Scientist in the Department of Pulmonary Physiology & Sleep Medicine at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth, Jane joined the ANZZSA Board in 2023, and is currently serving as ANZSSA President for 2026 and 2027.
Ms Teanau Roebuck
Principal Sleep Scientist
Alfred Care / Bayside Health
Introduction and regional context
8:35 AM - 8:40 AMBiography
Dr Brett Duce
Scientific Director
Princess Alexandra Hospital
Technical foundations and current landscape
8:40 AM - 8:55 AMBiography
Assoc Prof Erna Sif Arnardóttir
Reykjavik University
AI and sleep scoring: Insights from Sleep Revolution
8:55 AM - 9:25 AMBiography
Dr. Erna Sif Arnardottir is an Associate Professor at the Department of Engineering and Department of Computer Science at Reykjavik University, Iceland as well as the Director of the Reykjavik University Sleep Institute. Dr. Arnardottir has over 20 years of experience within the field of clinical and scientific sleep research and has authored over 100 highly-cited peer-reviewed papers. Dr. Arnardottir is currently the President of the European Sleep Research Society (ESRS) since September 2024. She is the Principal Investigator of the Sleep Revolution, a grant from EU Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme no. 965417.
The project SLEEP REVOLUTION, is an inter-disciplinary and international research and development project with 39 partner institutions and companies in Europe and Australia. SLEEP REVOLUTION aims to introduce an approach based on machine learning to assess sleep apnea severity and treatment needs. Through new technological solutions and a digital management platform, the project brings together researchers, patients and healthcare professionals to provide beyond the current state-of-the-art method of accurate sleep apnea diagnosis and optimal treatment as well as the use of this technology for other sleep disorders.
Assoc Prof Denise O'Driscoll
Clinical Sciences Operations Manager (Sleep/Resp/Neuro)
Eastern Health / Monash University
Governance, ethics and accreditation in Australia
9:25 AM - 9:40 AMBiography
A/Prof Denise O’Driscoll is the Clinical Sciences Operations Manager for Sleep, Respiratory and Neurodiagnostics at Eastern Health and Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor at Monash University. Her research explores the cardio-metabolic consequences of sleep apnoea across obesity, ageing and diverse ethnic populations.
As a Fellow of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand, Denise has held senior leadership roles with TSANZ and the Australasian Sleep Association, and is the Chair of the ASA/NATA Accreditation Advisory Committee for Sleep Disorders Services.
Dr Scott Coussens
Sleep Laboratory Manager
Women's and Children's Hospital
Panel discussion "What Now?" - with all speakers
9:40 AM - 10:00 AMBiography
Dr Scott Coussens is a Senior Medical Scientist and Manager of the Paediatric Sleep Disorders Unit at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide, with more than 20 years’ experience in sleep science. He is an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the University of Adelaide and an accredited Clinical Physiologist. His research focuses on paediatric sleep-disordered breathing, sleep measurement and technology, adolescent sleep, and translating sleep research into clinical practice and policy. Scott is President of the Australasian Council of Clinical Physiologists and is actively involved in professional standards, workforce development and accreditation. He also contributes to national and international sleep research collaborations.
Assoc Prof Angela D'Rozario
Associate Professor
Macquarie University
Chair
Biography
Ms Teanau Roebuck
Principal Sleep Scientist
Alfred Care / Bayside Health
Chair
Biography