Supported by ESRC Impact Acceleration Fund
Designed to address real-world challenges, the event brings together digital industry leaders and the academic social science community to share insights, uncover solutions, and build lasting collaborations. Together, we’ll examine the complexities of implementing AI and digital technologies within diverse real-world contexts and explore ways to overcome barriers to broader social and economic impact.
Our discussions will centre on practical strategies for navigating the unique challenges of digital transformation. With AI as a core focus, we’ll look at how the technology can be responsibly leveraged to advance equitable solutions across sectors. Topics will include:
- Real-World AI Integration: What are the obstacles encountered when integrating AI in industry and community settings? How can we work through these to create inclusive and practical implementations?
- Societal Impact of AI and Digital Innovation: How can AI address pressing societal issues in the North East, and what are the considerations for ensuring these solutions are sustainable and impactful?
- Building Effective Partnerships: What role can academia and industry play together in shaping AI’s development and application, and how can collaboration help us address real-world challenges more effectively?
Tickets: To join us please book a free ticket: BOOK FREE TICKET
Programme: 23rd of January 2025
| 8:45 to 9:15 | Arrival & Registrations |
| 9:15 to 10:15 | Gordon Murray, Head of Architecture, Opencast: “Beyond the Hype: A people-centred guide to AI adoption”
Alex Craig, Partner, Muckle LLP: “Navigating AI legally” Prof Savvas Papagiannidis, Subject Group Head for Information Systems and Operations, Newcastle University Business School: “Challenges of AI adoption and the implications for work” |
| 10:15 to 10:30 | Break |
| 10:30 to 11:30 | AI Stories: Demonstrate how AI technologies have been applied to solve real-world problems and drive business growth across various industries.
Eric Guo, Spark Epos & Anna Wadcock, General Manager, Maldron Hotel Newcastle: “Robots in Hospitality” Jim Caroll, CTO, Digica: “Anomaly Detection for Industrial Quality Monitoring” |
| 11:30 to 12:15 | Breakout Sessions will provide opportunities for in-depth discussions on topics such as AI adoption, implementation and benefit realisation. |
| 12:15 to 12:30 | Closing Remarks & Next Steps: Outline actionable plans for future AI initiatives, including follow-up meetings or forming working groups to explore ongoing AI developments and opportunities. |
| 12:30 to 13:30 | Networking Lunch: An informal setting to engage in discussions and build connections with other participants, offering opportunities to exchange ideas and explore potential collaborations. |