Please note the format of this event is an unconference, and will thus be participant-driven. Unlike traditional conferences or workshops, there is no predetermined agenda. Participants will suggest topics on the day that align with the key themes below.
As global competition in AI accelerates, the UK’s long-term position will depend not just on AI adoption, but on its ability to create a flywheel of AI innovation across the full spectrum of models — from proprietary systems to more open-source and hybrid approaches.
Increasingly, we see open-source AI playing a distinct role in bolstering the UK’s AI ecosystem. As we learned from key industry stakeholders during the 2025 Digital Ethics Summit, open-source AI and more open models are moving up the policy agenda of peers such as the US, Canada, and other G7 nations. In part, this is because model openness can support experimentation, skills development, institutional capacity, and domestic innovation, while complementing closed models that can drive scale and commercial return.
This unconference is designed around the following essay question:
What can or should the UK do to incentivise the diversification of AI development across the full spectrum of models — especially open source — to ensure it is a leading international developer of AI?
Unconference Themes
1. The UK’s AI development base
Where open-source and spectrum-based model development is currently happening in the UK — where it is not, and what may lead to gaps in responsible development
2. Incentives that shift development activity
Which levers most strongly influence where and how AI models are developed across the UK ecosystem, and what types of incentives support open-source and hybrid models without distorting markets or crowding out private investment
3. The UK’s role as a market shaper
The role of public institutions as early users, contributors, or conveners in open-source ecosystems and how demand-side signals can support a sustainable and secure spectrum of AI model development
4. Guardrails that enable openness at scale
How regulation, assurance, and security frameworks interact differently with open and closed models and how appropriate safeguards look like across a spectrum of model openness
5. Leveraging open models to democratise AI
How the UK can contribute to a more balanced system for both open and closed models that ensures UK innovators and companies can both build and use AI, whether through more open access to data, greater funding for open-source development, or stronger and more enabling regulation.
Outcomes
Insights from this unconference will feed into a short output (decided by participants themselves) that will:
- Identify the most effective levers for supporting more open models
- Highlight trade-offs, risks, and implementation considerations
- Explain how to support the UK in building a more resilient, competitive, and internationally credible AI development base
For More Information
Join the conversation with us this March!
For further information on our AI, data, and compute work at techUK, please email Kir Nuthi. For further information on our digital economy work at techUK, please email Ed Emerson.
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]
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
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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,@ChannelSwimSue,@ChannelSwimSue,@ChannelSwimSue
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