techUK's New AI Leader's Series: Agentic AI - Exploring the Next Frontier in Artificial Intelligence
2pm – 3.15pm27 February 2025
Online
Online
AI Leaders Series (background)
New for 2025, techUK’s AI Leaders Series will feature industry experts sharing insights on the latest AI advancements and their impact on the UK economy and society. These sessions will delve into the current state of AI developments, the opportunities presented by AI innovation, and the key challenges the UK must overcome to drive adoption, implement new AI solutions, and shape the country’s AI future. Read our insight to learn more about what to expect from the series.
Event description
This month, we’re thrilled to host a panel of AI leaders to explore Agentic AI. These cutting-edge tools are designed to perform tasks autonomously with minimal human intervention, making them goal-oriented (programmed to achieve specific objectives), adaptable (capable of learning from interactions), and autonomous (able to generate outputs without continuous guidance).
From enhancing local public service delivery by handling vital public sector functions to transforming private sector productivity, Agentic AI holds immense potential to redefine the way we work and how we serve our communities.
But what are the specific opportunities that the adoption, deployment and use of Agentic AI could bring across all sector and industries? Are there barriers or possible risks associated with the use of Agentic AI that need to be considered and how can these be overcome? How can the public and private sectors best utilise its transformative potential? This session will explore these issues and much more.
Also, in light of the Government’s recent publication of Matt Clifford’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, we’ll explore the role that Agentic AI can play in supporting the objectives and delivery of the AI Action Plan.
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Confirmed speakers:
Nell Watson
President, European Responsible Artificial Intelligence Office
The UK is a global leader in AI innovation, development and adoption.
AI has the potential to boost UK GDP by £550 billion by 2035, making adoption an urgent economic priority. techUK and our members are committed to working with the Government to turn the AI Opportunities Action Plan into reality. Together we can 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
Kir Nuthi
Head of AI and Data, techUK
Kir Nuthi
Head of AI and Data, techUK
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.
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.
President, European Responsible Artificial Intelligence Office
Eleanor ‘Nell’ Watson, a pioneering ethics and machine intelligence researcher, has been a driving force behind some of the most influential AI ethics standardization and certification initiatives, including in the safety of agentic AI systems.
Chief Digital and Technology Officer (CDTO) for Government, Microsoft
Andrew leads Microsoft’s engagement with the UK Government focusing on digital transformation strategies that foster innovation, efficiency, and resilience in public sector services. As the Chief Digital & Technology Officer (CDTO) for UK Government, Andrew aligns Microsoft’s AI, cloud, and cybersecurity innovations with the government’s digital agenda, enhancing public service delivery, operational efficiency, and citizen engagement.
A key architect of Microsoft’s Strategic Partnership Arrangement (SPA24) with the UK Government, Andrew ensures the scalability, security, and long-term value of public sector technology infrastructure, promoting the responsible adoption of AI-powered solutions like Microsoft 365 Copilot, driving automation, collaboration, and data-led decision-making across departments.
Recognised as a thought leader in AI and digital transformation, Andrew is dedicated to providing government leaders and policymakers with the tools and insights needed to leverage technology for public good, regularly advising on how emerging technologies can enhance policy implementation, digital resilience, and economic growth. Andrew welcomes discussions on AI’s evolving role in government, the future of digital public services, and how strategic collaboration can drive innovation and efficiency in the UK public sector.
James is the CEO and co-founder of Rainbird.AI, a decision intelligence business focused on the automation of complex human decision-making. James has over 30 years experience building technology companies with the last 15+ years focused on enterprise transformation and ethical AI. He has worked extensively with Global 250 organisations and governments, is one of Grant Thornton’s “Faces of a Vibrant Economy”, and an official member of the Forbes Technology Council.
Usman joined techUK in January 2024 as Programme Manager for Artificial Intelligence.
Prior to joining techUK, Usman worked as a policy, government affairs and public affairs professional in the advertising sector. He has also worked in sales and marketing and FinTech.
Usman is a graduate of the London School of Economics, BPP Law School and 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.
Building the Smarter State is techUK’s flagship public services conference and the go-to event for public sector digital leaders. The annual event welcomes over 200 senior leaders and decisions makers from across the public sector and the technology industry to showcase how technology is shaping today's and tomorrow’s public services.