On 17-18 March, AI UK, the national showcase of data science and AI, returns to the QEII Centre in Westminster. This year’s event features expert speakers and panel discussions across two stages, plus workshops, an exhibition of innovative AI demos, and the return of the ECR Connect networking event for early career researchers.
AI UK 2025 takes place at an exciting time for the Turing, as we enter a crucial phase of the implementation of our Turing 2.0 strategy against the backdrop of a new Government AI Opportunities Action Plan.
There are sessions to suit all interests across AI UK 2025 – be sure to look at the full programme to see what’s on offer. What follows is just a handful of highlights across the two days.
Day 1
Creating an immune system for critical national infrastructure
Conversation Stage, 10:00 – 10:45
The threat of cyber-attacks on critical national infrastructure – including power, communications and transport networks – is growing ever larger, posing an increasing danger to the UK’s security. The Turing’s Director of Science and Innovation for Defence and National Security, Tim Watson, will lead this panel discussion on how AI tools can help to shore up our critical infrastructure against attacks, in a way that is scalable and sustainable.
The future they want: lessons from the Children’s AI Summit
Conversation Stage, 11:00 – 11:45
Following the recent, world-first Children’s AI Summit and the publishing of the Children’s Manifesto for the Future of AI, speakers including Senior Ethics Fellow Mhairi Aitken will discuss their key learnings. We’ll hear from some of the children who attended the summit, and find out how the generation that’s growing up with AI would like to see these technologies deployed in service of a fairer, healthier and greener society.
Clearing the void: AI’s role in sustainable space
Research Stage, 12:00 – 12:45
A widely overlooked consequence of the boom in satellite technologies has been the proliferation of ‘space debris’ – defunct human-made objects still locked in near-Earth orbit. Not only does space debris pose a physical risk to future missions, but the efforts to clean it up can have national security implications. This session will look at how AI can help in the race to tidy up space. For more on this fascinating topic, listen to this episode of the Turing’s ‘too long didn’t read’ podcast.
How will AI transform weather forecasting in Africa?
Conversation Stage, 15:00 – 15:45
Join this session to learn how innovative new techniques could have a transformative impact on weather forecasting in Africa, offering the potential to more accurately predict drought and extreme weather events. The panel includes the Turing’s Rich Turner, whose pioneering project Aardvark Weather uses machine learning to radically lower the compute cost of weather forecasting models, potentially making the latest methods available to developing nations.
Day 2
Building skills beyond the tech team
Research Stage, 10:00 – 10:45
This panel will discuss the importance of AI literacy across the workforce, not only in roles traditionally considered ‘technical’. Speakers including Sara El-Hanfy (Head of AI & Machine Learning at Innovate UK) will explore how companies can equip workers with the support and training necessary to drive forward AI adoption and build skills for the future – one of our key Turing 2.0 goals.
Imagined Futures
Conversation Stage, 12:00 – 12:45
Our panellists take an imaginative leap into the future and report back their findings. Will we have artificial general intelligence by AI UK 2075? Will technology have helped us avert climate catastrophe by AI UK 2125? Join to discover how AI might impact society, and what choices we can make today to ensure AI works for everyone in the future.
Inspiring the next generation of HeathTech
Research Stage, 14:00 – 14:45
AI technologies promise to revolutionise the health sector in the coming years, from disease diagnosis to personalised treatment plans, but there are significant hurdles to overcome. This session will explore how AI and healthcare innovators can navigate complex regulations in the sector while addressing ethical sensitivities around patient data and privacy.
Head here to read the full programme and secure your place at AI UK 2025.
