Large-scale computing is a key enabler of science, research and innovation and sits at the heart of value chains that extend deep into the economy. LSC is essential to R&D in a range of sectors, including healthcare and drug discovery, engineering and manufacturing, financial services and risk analysis, particle physics, materials science and more.
It is understandable, then, that LSC is viewed as a key part of the UK’s ambition to remain a world leader in science and innovation and should be seen as strategic national infrastructure, as important to our economic future in an information age as steel was in the industrial age.
Yet despite the UK’s global leadership in data analytics, cybersecurity, AI, machine learning and quantum technologies, the UK is falling behind in compute infrastructure when compared to other leading nations. Furthermore, the window for the UK to remain competitive in LSC is quickly closing: Whilst the EU, USA, China, and Japan are all pushing forward with exascale systems, the UK’s share of global LSC capacity has decreased by three-fifths over five years, falling to 2.0% in 2019. Lack of investment in this vital infrastructure will make the UK less competitive in both academia and key industries like life sciences, aerospace, and energy.
This event, kick-starting techUK’s new supercomputing campaign, will deep-dive into the UK’s current compute ecosystem, where the UK is positioning itself as a leader, and where we are falling behind. In particular, we will look to address:
- From HPC, quantum to cloud, what is the UK’s computing ecosystem?
- Where are these technologies converging, and how do we encourage this convergence?
- How will demand for compute in the UK to change over the next decade, and can the UK meet this demand?
- How can the UK Future of Compute review leverage UK compute as a key national asset?
- Where should we look internationally to support UK resources and what are these nations getting right?
Speakers include:
- Dave Snelling, Director Artificial Intelligence, Fujitsu
- Alison Kennedy, Strategic Advisor, STFC
- Vasilis Kapsalis, EMEA Business Leader, SambaNova Systems
- Hannah Cooke, Co-Chair, Future of Compute Review Secretariat, DCMS
- Laura Foster, Head of Tech & Innovation, techUK
Laura Foster
Head of Technology and Innovation, techUK
Laura is techUK’s Head of Programme 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
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Rory Daniels
Programme Manager, Emerging Technologies
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, he is techUK's Programme Manager for Emerging Technologies, covering dozens of technologies including metaverse, drones, future materials, robotics, blockchain, space technologies, nanotechnology, gaming tech and Web3.0.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
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Chris Hazell
Programme Manager - Cloud, Tech and Innovation, techUK
Chris is the Programme Manager for Cloud, Tech and Innovation
Sue Daley
Director, Technology and Innovation
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. 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 is co-chair of the UK government's National Data Strategy Forum. 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
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