Event round-up: AI Leader’s Series event on Bio Intelligence
On 28 April, techUK brought together a panel of subject matter experts to discuss a fascinating emerging area at the frontier of artificial intelligence, bio intelligence.
Part of techUK's AI Leader’s Series, our event series that explores cutting-edge developments in AI, this session explored what bio intelligence is, where it is being developed and deployed today, and what it could mean for the UK in the months and years ahead.
Speaker’s included:
- Monica Maghami – CEO and Founder, SUSTAIN-NOBILITY ADVISORY
- Theresa Yurkewich Hoffman – Head of Responsible AI, Kainos
- Dr Ewelina Kurtys – Founder and CEO – Deep Tech Commercialization, Ekai.io
- Ella Shuter – Junior Programme Manager, Emerging Tech, techUK
- Usman Ikhlaq – Programme Manager, Artificial Intelligence, techUK
What is bio intelligence?
Bio intelligence sits at the intersection of biology, computing and artificial intelligence. It focuses on how biological systems process information, adapt, and make decisions, and how these capabilities can be harnessed, modelled and integrated into new AI technologies.
Unlike bio-inspired AI, which draws lessons from nature for digital systems, bio intelligent systems may combine biological and digital components. Emerging approaches range from organoids and cellular computation to DNA-based storage and biologically inspired architectures.
In our discussion, the panel set out how the field of bio intelligence remains in very early stages. Currently, research is focused on understanding how to programme and interface with living systems.
What we heard
Bio intelligence has significant potential, but challenges need to be addressed
Panellists highlighted promising uses in healthcare and drug discovery. Bio intelligent systems could model how diseases progress more accurately by using actual biological tissue. They could also learn to recognise patterns from just a few examples, similar to how biological brains work.
However, there are serious technical hurdles. Programming living neurons, making sure they behave consistently, and managing biological infrastructure are all major challenges that need solving.
Ethics questions
The discussion highlighted critical ethical questions. For example, if bio intelligent systems use neural tissue that might be capable of something like awareness or feeling, this raises questions: What rights do they have? Can they consent? What responsibilities do we have toward them? When biological and digital components work together, figuring out who's responsible when things go wrong becomes much more complicated than with more classic AI applications.
Cross-disciplinary collaboration
Progress requires bringing together biologists, engineers, AI researchers, ethicists, and policymakers. Panellists stressed this doesn't happen naturally. It requires creating the right environments (shared labs, joint research projects, and regular dialogue) where different disciplines can collaborate meaningfully
What this means
While the field of bio intelligence is still developing, it represents an exciting prospect: creating AI systems with the adaptability and resilience of living organisms. Realising this potential will require solving profound technical challenges and addressing complex ethical questions. For UK technology companies and policymakers, this is both an opportunity and a call to action. Engaging thoughtfully now will help shape how this technology develops responsibly.
For more information or to get involved with the AI programme, please contact Usman.
Usman Ikhlaq
Usman Ikhlaq
Usman joined techUK in January 2024 as Programme Manager for Artificial Intelligence.
He leads techUK’s AI Adoption programme, supporting members of all sizes and sectors in adopting AI at scale. His work involves identifying barriers to adoption, exploring solutions, and helping to unlock AI’s transformative potential, particularly its benefits for people, the economy, society, and the planet. He is also committed to advancing the UK’s AI sector and ensuring the UK remains a global leader in AI by working closely with techUK members, the UK Government, regulators, and devolved and local authorities.
Since joining techUK, Usman has delivered a regular drumbeat of activity to engage members and advance techUK's AI programme. This has included two campaign weeks, the creation of the AI Adoption Hub (now the AI Hub), the AI Leader's Event Series, the Putting AI into Action webinar series and the Industrial AI sprint campaign.
Before joining techUK, Usman worked as a policy, regulatory and government/public affairs professional in the advertising sector. He has also worked in sales, marketing, and FinTech.
Usman holds an MSc from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), a GDL and LLB from BPP Law School, and a BA from Queen Mary University of London.
When he isn’t working, Usman enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He also has a keen interest in running, reading and travelling.
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Contact the team
Kir Nuthi
Kir Nuthi
Kir Nuthi is the Head of AI and Data at techUK.
She holds over seven years of Government Affairs and Tech Policy experience in the US and UK. Kir previously headed up the regulatory portfolio at a UK advocacy group for tech startups and held various public affairs in US tech policy. All involved policy research and campaigns on competition, artificial intelligence, access to data, and pro-innovation regulation.
Kir has an MSc in International Public Policy from University College London and a BA in both Political Science (International Relations) and Economics from the University of California San Diego.
Outside of techUK, you are likely to find her attempting studies at art galleries, attempting an elusive headstand at yoga, mending and binding books, or chasing her dog Maya around South London's many parks.
- Email:
- [email protected]
Usman Ikhlaq
Usman Ikhlaq
Usman joined techUK in January 2024 as Programme Manager for Artificial Intelligence.
He leads techUK’s AI Adoption programme, supporting members of all sizes and sectors in adopting AI at scale. His work involves identifying barriers to adoption, exploring solutions, and helping to unlock AI’s transformative potential, particularly its benefits for people, the economy, society, and the planet. He is also committed to advancing the UK’s AI sector and ensuring the UK remains a global leader in AI by working closely with techUK members, the UK Government, regulators, and devolved and local authorities.
Since joining techUK, Usman has delivered a regular drumbeat of activity to engage members and advance techUK's AI programme. This has included two campaign weeks, the creation of the AI Adoption Hub (now the AI Hub), the AI Leader's Event Series, the Putting AI into Action webinar series and the Industrial AI sprint campaign.
Before joining techUK, Usman worked as a policy, regulatory and government/public affairs professional in the advertising sector. He has also worked in sales, marketing, and FinTech.
Usman holds an MSc from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), a GDL and LLB from BPP Law School, and a BA from Queen Mary University of London.
When he isn’t working, Usman enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He also has a keen interest in running, reading and travelling.
Sue Daley OBE
Sue Daley OBE
Sue leads techUK's Technology and Innovation work. This includes work programmes on AI, Cloud, Data, Quantum, Semiconductors, Digital ID and Digital ethics as well as emerging and transformative technologies and innovation policy. In 2025, Sue was honoured with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the Technology Industry in the New Year Honours List. She has also been recognised as one of the most influential people in UK tech by Computer Weekly's UKtech50 Longlist and was inducted into the Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech Hall of Fame.
A key influencer in driving forward the tech agenda in the UK, in December 2025 Sue was appointed to the UK Government’s Women in Tech Taskforce by the Technology Secretary of State. She also sits on the UK Government’s Smart Data Council, Satellite Applications Catapult Advisory Group, Bank of England’s AI Consortium and BSI’s Digital Strategic Advisory Group. Previously, Sue was a member of the Independent Future of Compute Review and co-chaired the National Data Strategy Forum. As well as being recognised in the UK's Big Data 100 and the Global Top 100 Data Visionaries in 2020, Sue has been shortlisted for the Milton Keynes Women Leaders Awards and has been a judge for the Loebner Prize in AI, the UK Tech 50 and annual UK Cloud Awards. She is a regular industry speaker on issues including AI ethics, data protection and cyber security.
Prior to joining techUK in January 2015, Sue was responsible for Symantec's Government Relations in the UK and Ireland. Before that, Sue was senior policy advisor at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Sue has an BA degree on History and American Studies from Leeds University and a Master’s Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Birmingham. Sue is a keen sportswoman and in 2016 achieved a lifelong ambition to swim the English Channel.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2055
- Twitter:
- @ChannelSwimSue
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