Event round up: Launch of techUK’s new Industrial AI sprint campaign!
On Monday, techUK proudly launched its new Industrial AI Sprint campaign, kicking off a vital conversation on how to unlock the potential of artificial intelligence across industrial and R&D intensive sectors such as manufacturing and construction.
The launch event brought together industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers for a dynamic programme of discussion, insight and collaboration, including a fireside chat, expert panel, industry presentation and networking.
A huge thank you to our speakers and attendees for making the session so insightful. This campaign is just getting started. Stay tuned for more case studies, collaborative opportunities and community led conversations around seizing the AI opportunity.
Speakers included:
- Dr. David Smith - Industrial AI Specialist and Head of AI Product Innovation, AVEVA
- Ella Shoup - AI Policy Analyst, GSK
- Dr. Saleh Seyedzadeh - Head of Data, The Data Lab - Innovation Centre
- Nathan Brown - Manager, EMEA Government Affairs and Public Policy, Autodesk
- Cormac McAteer - Senior Engineering Manager, Seagate Technologies
Learn how you can get involved by reading our insight on the sprint campaign.
Fireside chat: Industrial AI’s Real World Impact
The session opened with a forward looking conversation on Industrial AI’s growing influence in real world settings, particularly in sectors like manufacturing and construction where operational efficiency and system reliability are paramount.
Predictive maintenance at scale
AI is redefining operations by enabling early fault detection, reducing costly downtime and streamlining maintenance strategies across complex industrial environments.
Human-AI collaboration
Industrial AI is not about replacing jobs, but about empowering workers to make better, faster decisions. Tools such as Industrial AI powered assistants and simulators are helping bridge knowledge gaps and boost on the job learning.
Data as a foundation
Industrial AI adoption starts with data. This includes organising, contextualising and unlocking value through semantic inferencing and language models.
From hesitation to action
While some organisations remain cautious adopters, actionable guidance and a strong data strategy are key to making confident strides forward.
Looking ahead
The future will be shaped by more advanced language and vision models, capable of diagnosing issues, optimising decisions and issuing actionable outputs.
Panel discussion: Meet the Industrial AI Advocates
A cross sector panel shared their insights on the practical and policy level challenges shaping Industrial AI in R&D intensive industries. Highlights included:
Skills and talent gap
The demand for AI and data specialists continues to grow. Upskilling through tailored training and fostering “super user” personas within organisations were cited as effective strategies.
Barriers to data access
Outdated infrastructure, legacy systems and limited sensor quality, particularly in rural areas, remain major hurdles to accessing usable data in sectors like advanced manufacturing and industrial R&D.
Cybersecurity and trust
With increasing AI deployment comes the need for robust data governance and cybersecurity. Building trust through human in the loop systems and accountability frameworks is essential.
Human centric adoption
Successful integration hinges on involving end users from the outset, ensuring that tools are intuitive, useful and aligned with real world workflows.
Presentation: Industrial AI in Action
Attendees were given a front row seat to cutting edge use cases from the field, demonstrating Industrial AI’s tangible value in data intensive and precision driven sectors.
Digital twins and predictive models
From manufacturing precision components to managing high volume sensor data, AI is enabling smarter, more responsive systems that reduce failures and optimise workflows.
Generative AI for innovation
Beyond analysing data, generative models are now being tested for decision support, simulation and process design, paving the way for autonomous operations in complex engineering environments.
Workforce readiness
As AI tools become more sophisticated, so must the workforce. Training, experimentation and a mindset shift towards AI driven problem solving are all critical to future success in industrial contexts.
Are you ready to be part of the conversation? Get in touch to join us in exploring the future of Industrial AI in the UK:
Email [email protected] to explore exciting opportunities and become a part of this thrilling AI sprint campaign!
techUK - Seizing the AI Opportunity
The UK is a global leader in AI innovation, development and adoption.
The economic growth and productivity gain that AI can unlock is vast, but to fully harness this transformative opportunity, immediate action is required. Our aim is to ensure the UK seizes the opportunities presented by AI technology and continues to be a world leader in AI development.
Get involved: techUK runs a busy calendar of activities including events, reports, and insights to demonstrate some of the most significant AI opportunities for the UK. Our AI Hub is where you will find details of all upcoming activity. We also send a monthly AI newsletter which you can subscribe to here.
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Contact the team
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 cloud, data protection, data analytics, AI, digital ethics, Digital Identity and Internet of Things 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 been recognised as one of the most influential people in UK tech by Computer Weekly's UKtech50 Longlist and in 2021 was inducted into the Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech Hall of Fame.
A key influencer in driving forward the data agenda in the UK, Sue was co-chair of the UK government's National Data Strategy Forum until July 2024. As well as being recognised in the UK's Big Data 100 and the Global Top 100 Data Visionaries for 2020 Sue has also been shortlisted for the Milton Keynes Women Leaders Awards and was a judge for the Loebner Prize in AI. In addition to being a regular industry speaker on issues including AI ethics, data protection and cyber security, Sue was recently a judge for the UK Tech 50 and is a regular judge of the annual UK Cloud Awards.
Prior to joining techUK in January 2015 Sue was responsible for Symantec's Government Relations in the UK and Ireland. She has spoken at events including the UK-China Internet Forum in Beijing, UN IGF and European RSA on issues ranging from data usage and privacy, cloud computing and online child safety. Before joining Symantec, 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 Masters Degree on 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,@ChannelSwimSue
Tess Buckley
Tess Buckley
A digital ethicist and musician, Tess holds a MA in AI and Philosophy, specialising in ableism in biotechnologies. Their professional journey includes working as an AI Ethics Analyst with a dataset on corporate digital responsibility, followed by supporting the development of a specialised model for sustainability disclosure requests. Currently at techUK as programme manager in digital ethics and AI safety, Tess focuses on demystifying and operationalising ethics through assurance mechanisms and standards. Their primary research interests encompass AI music systems, AI fluency, and technology created by and for differently abled individuals. Their overarching goal is to apply philosophical principles to make emerging technologies both explainable and ethical.
Outside of work Tess enjoys kickboxing, ballet, crochet and jazz music.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Website:
- tessbuckley.me
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/tesssbuckley/
Laura Foster
Laura Foster
Laura is techUK’s Associate Director for Technology and Innovation.
She supports the application and expansion of emerging technologies, including Quantum Computing, High-Performance Computing, AR/VR/XR and Edge technologies, across the UK. As part of this, she works alongside techUK members and UK Government to champion long-term and sustainable innovation policy that will ensure the UK is a pioneer in science and technology
Before joining techUK, Laura worked internationally as a conference researcher and producer covering enterprise adoption of emerging technologies. This included being part of the strategic team at London Tech Week.
Laura has a degree in History (BA Hons) from Durham University, focussing on regional social history. Outside of work she loves reading, travelling and supporting rugby team St. Helens, where she is from.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- www.linkedin.com/in/lauraalicefoster
Nimmi Patel
Nimmi Patel
Nimmi Patel is the Head of Skills, Talent and Diversity at techUK. She works on all things skills, education, and future of work policy, focusing on upskilling and retraining. Nimmi is also an Advisory Board member of Digital Futures at Work Research Centre (digit). The Centre research aims to increase understanding of how digital technologies are changing work and the implications for employers, workers, job seekers and governments.
Prior to joining the techUK team, she worked for the UK Labour Party and New Zealand Labour Party, and holds an MA in Strategic Communications at King’s College London and BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of Manchester. She is currently taking part in the 2024-25 University of Bath Institute for Policy Research Policy Fellowship Programme.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 07805744520
- Twitter:
- @nimmiptl
- Website:
- www.techuk.org
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/nimmi-patel1/
Audre Verseckaite
Audre Verseckaite
Audre joined techUK in July 2023 as a Policy Manager for Data. Previously, she was a Policy Advisor in the Civil Service, where she worked on the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and at HM Treasury on designing COVID-19 support schemes and delivering the Financial Services and Markets Bill. Before that, Audre worked at a public relations consultancy, advising public and private sector clients on their communications, public relations, and government affairs strategy.
Prior to this, Audre completed an MSc in Public Policy at the Korea Development Institute and a Bachelor's in International Relations and History from SOAS, University of London. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors, learning about new cultures through travel and food, and going on adventures.
Edward Emerson
Edward Emerson
Edward leads the Digital Economy programme at techUK, which includes our work on online safety, fraud, and regulation for growth initiatives.
He has prior experience working for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and has previously worked for a number of public affairs consultancies specialising in research and strategy, working with leading clients in the technology and financial services sectors.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/edward-emerson-009189183
Heather Cover-Kus
Heather Cover-Kus
Heather is Head of Central Government Programme at techUK, working to represent the supplier community of tech products and services to Central Government.
Prior to joining techUK in April 2022, Heather worked in the Economic Policy and Small States Section at the Commonwealth Secretariat. She led the organisation’s FinTech programme and worked to create an enabling environment for developing countries to take advantage of the socio-economic benefits of FinTech.
Before moving to the UK, Heather worked at the Office of the Prime Minister of The Bahamas and the Central Bank of The Bahamas.
Heather holds a Graduate Diploma in Law from BPP, a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from LSE, and a BA in Economics and Sociology from Macalester College.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-cover-kus-ba636538
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Authors
Usman Ikhlaq
Usman joined techUK in January 2024 as Programme Manager for Artificial Intelligence.