The theme of the meeting is ‘AI in Orthopaedics – the next frontier'. 

The meeting will feature plenary sessions beginning with a  foundational primer on Artificial Intelligence, current developments occurring with AI, sessions showing real-world AI applications in Orthopaedics, an ethical/legal discourse outlining some of the challenges with AI, and then interactive sessions ideal for surgeons, researchers, and industry experts who are interested in advancing their understanding and incorporation of AI.   This will integrate with the programs of the subspecialty societies of Hip, Spine and Hand that will be meeting prior to the ASM.

 I have invited Mr Vipin Asopa PhD FRCS (Tr& Orth), an arthroplasty surgeon in London, England who has been actively involved in the BOA’s annual series of workshops on AI in orthopaedic practice, to give us an overview of AI in Orthopaedics and where it is being introduced successfully into the NHS.

 He will be joined by several other international orthopaedic guests for the meeting, Dino Samartzis from the USA, and Fares Haddad from the UK.  Dino Samartzis is a global leader in spine, blending clinical practice, rigorous research and academic leadership based in Rush Medical College in Chicago – he will bring his knowledge of AI in the real world of orthopaedic research and clinical  applications.  Fares Haddad is well known to us as the editor of the Bone and Joint Journal and as Professor at University College London, he will share his experience of harnessing AI in the operating theatre, as well as the challenges it presents in the world of medical research and publishing. 

They will be joined by Simon Longstaff, Executive Director of the Ethics Centre based in Sydney, Australia. He is a central figure in Applied Ethics and he will share his views on the ethical challenges AI throws at us.  We will complete our discourse with a session on the medico-legal challenges AI presents.

 The venue for the ASM is the Conference Hall at Te Papa, Wellington.  This large conference centre will offer our trade partners plenty of space and options for breakout sessions.  The Spine Society and the Hip Society will hold meetings on Friday and Saturday 16th-17th October at this venue enabling  trades display for the 5 days.  The Hand Society will also be meeting at this time across the road at Takina convention centre.  Sunday 18^th will be the Sports Day with golf, tennis and mountain biking sponsored  by MAS. There will be transport to and from these events and time to enjoy the MAS hospitality and still be back in town in time to prepare for the Welcome function at Te Papa. 

 For those of you whose partners will be joining you, there will be a partners program run over the Monday and Tuesday, taking in some of the unique opportunities Wellington offers.

 The Gala dinner will be held at the Great Hall in the Dominion War Memorial Building on Monday the 19^{th of} October.  This recently renovated venue was host to a spectacular afterparty following the world premiere of the newly released Avatar movie. We can look forward to a similarly fantastic night with all the glamor associated with such a venue, and again welcome the sponsorship of Southern Cross Healthcare.

  The ASM will begin with the Welcome function amongst the industry stands on Sunday evening, at Te Papa with plenty of time left for catching up with colleagues over dinners later in the evening.

 The co-convenors for the ASM are, Giles Foley, Peter Devane and Woosung Kim.

We hope you can join us.