Event round up: Launch of techUK’s new Industrial AI sprint campaign!

Learn more about the launch event of our new AI sprint campaign, and how you can get involved!

On Monday, techUK proudly launched its new Industrial AI Sprint campaign, kicking off a vital conversation on how to unlock the potential of artificial intelligence across industrial and R&D intensive sectors such as manufacturing and construction.

The launch event brought together industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers for a dynamic programme of discussion, insight and collaboration, including a fireside chat, expert panel, industry presentation and networking.

A huge thank you to our speakers and attendees for making the session so insightful. This campaign is just getting started. Stay tuned for more case studies, collaborative opportunities and community led conversations around seizing the AI opportunity.

Speakers included:

- Dr. David Smith - Industrial AI Specialist and Head of AI Product Innovation, AVEVA

- Ella Shoup - AI Policy Analyst, GSK

- Dr. Saleh Seyedzadeh - Head of Data, The Data Lab - Innovation Centre

- Nathan Brown - Manager, EMEA Government Affairs and Public Policy, Autodesk

- Cormac McAteer - Senior Engineering Manager, Seagate Technologies

Learn how you can get involved by reading our insight on the sprint campaign.

Fireside chat: Industrial AI’s Real World Impact

The session opened with a forward looking conversation on Industrial AI’s growing influence in real world settings, particularly in sectors like manufacturing and construction where operational efficiency and system reliability are paramount.

Predictive maintenance at scale
AI is redefining operations by enabling early fault detection, reducing costly downtime and streamlining maintenance strategies across complex industrial environments.

Human-AI collaboration
Industrial AI is not about replacing jobs, but about empowering workers to make better, faster decisions. Tools such as Industrial AI powered assistants and simulators are helping bridge knowledge gaps and boost on the job learning.

Data as a foundation
Industrial AI adoption starts with data. This includes organising, contextualising and unlocking value through semantic inferencing and language models.

From hesitation to action
While some organisations remain cautious adopters, actionable guidance and a strong data strategy are key to making confident strides forward.

Looking ahead
The future will be shaped by more advanced language and vision models, capable of diagnosing issues, optimising decisions and issuing actionable outputs.

Panel discussion: Meet the Industrial AI Advocates

A cross sector panel shared their insights on the practical and policy level challenges shaping Industrial AI in R&D intensive industries. Highlights included:

Skills and talent gap
The demand for AI and data specialists continues to grow. Upskilling through tailored training and fostering “super user” personas within organisations were cited as effective strategies.

Barriers to data access
Outdated infrastructure, legacy systems and limited sensor quality, particularly in rural areas, remain major hurdles to accessing usable data in sectors like advanced manufacturing and industrial R&D.

Cybersecurity and trust
With increasing AI deployment comes the need for robust data governance and cybersecurity. Building trust through human in the loop systems and accountability frameworks is essential.

Human centric adoption
Successful integration hinges on involving end users from the outset, ensuring that tools are intuitive, useful and aligned with real world workflows.

Presentation: Industrial AI in Action

Attendees were given a front row seat to cutting edge use cases from the field, demonstrating Industrial AI’s tangible value in data intensive and precision driven sectors.

Digital twins and predictive models
From manufacturing precision components to managing high volume sensor data, AI is enabling smarter, more responsive systems that reduce failures and optimise workflows.

Generative AI for innovation
Beyond analysing data, generative models are now being tested for decision support, simulation and process design, paving the way for autonomous operations in complex engineering environments.

Workforce readiness
As AI tools become more sophisticated, so must the workforce. Training, experimentation and a mindset shift towards AI driven problem solving are all critical to future success in industrial contexts.

Are you ready to be part of the conversation? Get in touch to join us in exploring the future of Industrial AI in the UK:

Email [email protected] to explore exciting opportunities and become a part of this thrilling AI sprint campaign!

techUK - Seizing the AI Opportunity

The UK is a global leader in AI innovation, development and adoption. The economic growth and productivity gain that AI can unlock is vast, but to fully harness this transformative opportunity, immediate action is required. techUK and our members are committed to working with the Government to turn the AI Opportunities Action Plan into reality. Our aim is to ensure the UK seizes the opportunities presented by AI technology and continues to be a world leader in AI development.

techUK runs a full 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.