Editorial

techUK launches special ‘AI Week’ discussion

Group worries that we need to do a lot more to ensure the UK economy and society is ready and able to take advantage of what AI could bring

Posted 24 April 2017 by Gary Flood


New technologies such as predictive data analytics, machine learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have the potential to become significant drivers of change across the UK economy and society, says UK IT supplier trade body techUK.

But, says the group, it is “important that the UK economy and society is ready and able to take advantage, today and in the near future, of these evolving technologies”.

The promise – and warning – come as the group launches a special ‘AI Week’ of online resourcing and events.

That’s going to include news, views and insights from the technology sector on the value and opportunities of AI to UK organisations across both the public and private sector.

The group’s Head of Programme for Big Data, Cloud & Mobile, Sue Daley, promises she and her team will be sharing guest blogs and podcast interviews with AI thought leaders, press articles and daily tweets so as to explore “what an AI driven UK might look like and how do we get there”.

“New technologies such as predictive data analytics, machine learning AI have the potential to become significant drivers of change across the UK economy and society, whether its personalising shopping experiences or improving the delivery of public services or increasing business efficiencies,” said Daley.

“It is important, however, that UK businesses and citizens feel ready and able to take advantage, today and in the near future, of these evolving technologies.”

You can follow techUK’s activities via @techUK #AIfuture – but if AI and its potential interests you as a public sector professional, you also need to put Friday, June 23, in your diary, too.

That’s because that’s the day of Think AI for Public Sector 2107, the major one-day conference organised by the people behind this site, THINK Digital Partners.

The event’s bringing together leading stakeholders from the public sector and industry to debate the potential of the technology for public service provision.

Don’t forget to secure your own free place if you’re a public sector professional – it looks like it’s going to be a great opportunity to clarify thinking and spot opportunity, say participants.