Introducing techUK's New Data Vision Series: A Deep Dive into Data-Driven Innovation
techUK is thrilled to unveil an exciting new addition to our AI and Data programming - our Data Vision Series - bringing together some of the brightest minds in data analytics to explore cutting-edge developments, emerging trends, and the transformative potential of data-driven innovation on the UK's economy and society.
Why Data-Driven Innovation?
Data is the foundation of any digital economy, and a key driver for innovation in emerging technologies such as AI, quantum, and more. How an organisation manages data and its ability to turn data into insights, and then into tangible value, can be a key enabler of productivity and success.
From dynamic businesses to more effective public services, better use of data opens new opportunities for smarter, evidence-based decision making. Yet the rapid pace of digital transformation brings challenges -- from skills gaps and legacy systems to investment hurdles and interoperability issues. Without a clear focus on data-driven innovation many organisations risk seeing a limited return on their digital investments. Too often, data strategy is treated as an afterthought when it should be central to any transformation journey.
The good news is that data sits at the heart of the UK's ambition to become a global tech leader -- it's central to the Industrial Strategy, the AI Opportunities Action Plan, the Modern Blueprint for Digital Government, and the introduction of Smart Data Schemes -- and the Government estimates that more effective use of data could double or even triple the UK's annual productivity growth. On top of that, our data sector in the UK is world leading. At 7.4 per cent of GDP, the UK data economy is larger as a fraction of the total economy than any European country except Estonia.
With the Government's renewed focus on harnessing data to boost the economy and drive innovation, this series will explore how businesses can turn their data vision into an effective strategy that unlocks additional value from this vital intangible asset.
The Data Vision Series
The Data Vision Series is a journey into the heart of data-led transformation, bringing together industry leaders, data scientists, and solution providers to share cutting-edge tools, technologies, and strategies that address real-world data challenges. Each session will showcase practical solutions and innovative technologies - from synthetic data and privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) to digital twins and federated learning - that are transforming how organisations harness their data assets.
This isn't just about theory - it's about hearing directly from data leaders who are building the tools and delivering the solutions that overcome today's most pressing data challenges. Whether you're grappling with data quality issues, seeking to unlock value from unstructured data, or navigating complex privacy requirements, our expert panels will demonstrate how technology can solve these problems and drive tangible business outcomes.
The series will feature industry leaders, data scientists, policymakers, and civil society sharing their expertise on several core themes:
Analytics, insights and a data-driven business model: How can organisations move beyond dashboards to embed data at the heart of decision-making? This theme explores the tools and strategies---from digital twins to real-time analytics---that turn data into action. It also unpacks the cultural shifts needed to scale a data-driven approach, including boosting data literacy, aligning leadership, and overcoming common barriers to transformation.
Data quality, data sharing and interoperability: What does it take to ensure data is high-quality, well-managed, and shareable across systems? This theme explores how to assess data-readiness, break down silos, and build robust management practices. We'll examine real-world interoperability through APIs, open standards, and governance models---alongside the infrastructure needed for end-to-end protected and scalable data exchange using privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) and secure data-sharing frameworks.
Data infrastructure and architecture: How should data-driven organisations store, process and manage data? This theme explores modern architectures - lakes, warehouses, lakehouse's -- unpacks trade-offs, and spotlights hybrid, multi-cloud and edge-to-cloud pipelines that unlock business value.
The Data Vision series will also turn theory into practice and look at how data-driven innovation is driving change in key sectors of the economy by exploring real-world use cases and technology solutions in:
Public services
Manufacturing and Industry
Financial Services
Healthcare
Retail
Energy & Utilities
Why Data Matters
As digital technology becomes ever more central to our economy and society, data innovation is increasingly shaping how we live, work, and make critical decisions.
By participating in the Data Vision Series, attendees will not only stay informed about the latest trends but also gain direct access to the technology leaders and solution providers who are solving today's data challenges. You'll discover practical applications of emerging technologies like synthetic data generation, privacy-enhancing technologies, and AI-ready data architectures that can be implemented in your own organisation.
Whether you're a business leader looking to harness data for competitive advantage, a policymaker crafting the next wave of the UK's Data Strategy, or simply passionate about the future of data in our economy, the Data Vision Series offers something for everyone. Together, we can explore how to unlock the UK's data potential and navigate this fast-evolving landscape through proven technological solutions.
Join the Conversation
Stay tuned for updates on upcoming sessions, speakers, and topics. Together, let's shape the future of data and ensure its benefits are realised across the UK and beyond.
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.
Members of techUK join a thriving community of companies committed to demonstrating the power of data analytics and AI. We help our members to build strong relationships with industry leaders, policymakers and regulators, reach new customers, and enable their business to grow. Visit the programme page here.
Harnessing the Power of Open Source AI, 4 September
Join us for an insightful panel on the fast-moving world of open-source AI, on how open-source practices release its codes, documentation, and – at times – training data under permissive licenses that allow anyone to inspect, modify, and freely share in its potential.
Our members develop strong networks, build meaningful partnerships and grow their businesses as we all work together to create a thriving environment where industry, government and stakeholders come together to realise the positive outcomes tech can deliver.
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.
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 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.
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.
This morning, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s (DSIT) Secretary of State, the Rt Hon Peter Kyle, announced the publication of two new Responsible Technology Adoption Unit (RTA) products at the Financial Times Future of AI Summit.
This is an informative insight about artificial intelligence system impact assessments (AI-SIAs) which are documented processes for identifying individuals and groups impacted by an AI system. Common-use impact assessments are already found in the context of business, the environment, finance, human rights, IT, privacy, personally identifiable information and security. As part of a growing list of governance and policy assets available to those deploying and providing AI systems, AI-SIAs can provide analytical frameworks and approaches to SIAs supported through technical rigor.
Chatham House has released a collection of essays that examines innovative approaches to AI regulation and governance. It presents and evaluates proposals and mechanisms for ensuring responsible AI, from EU-style regulations to open-source governance, from treaties to CERN-like research facilities and publicly owned corporations. You can read the essays here. Drawing on perspectives from around the world, the collection underscores the need to protect openness, ensure inclusivity and fairness in AI, and establish clear ethical frameworks and lines of cooperation between states and technology companies.
As AI continues to transform industries across the globe, the need for professionals who can operationalise its ethical implementation has never been more critical. Whether you're looking to join the field or are already working as a responsible AI practitioner, these resources from techUK will help you navigate this evolving profession.
The eighth annual Digital Ethics Summit, hosted by techUK on 4 December 2024, marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of AI ethics and governance. Following 2023's "AI Epiphany" year of breakthrough developments in generative AI, 2024 emerged as a period of practical implementation and organisational introspection. The summit brought together leaders and experts from across the digital ethics landscape to explore how organisations are translating ethical principles into practice through assurance techniques and standards.
