**This event is being held at 24/25 The Shard. For security purposes, please ensure you bring valid ID with you. If you fail to present ID to security, you will be denied entry to the event.**

Fora Presents is our new curated events series for fresh initiatives and big ideas. Join some of the best minds, household names and industry experts as they share their knowledge and insights through a monthly series of exclusive talks.

As Artificial Intelligence continues to evolve, it presents us all with innovative opportunities and new challenges. Join us for an insightful panel talk exploring how AI is impacting industries and reshaping business landscapes worldwide. From automating operations and enhancing customer experiences, to driving innovation and opening up new revenue streams, our expert panel will discuss how to harness the power of this game-changing tool and drive your business forward – helping you stay ahead in an ever-changing world.

We’ll cover:

• Applications across industries: how AI is being utilised in finance, healthcare, retail and manufacturing to optimise processes, improve decision-making, and foster growth.

• A competitive advantage: how to stay ahead in a rapidly changing market and integrate AI into your business model.

• Challenges and considerations: exploring data privacy, workforce implications, and ethical considerations businesses must address.

• Future trends: how AI and emerging technologies are likely to influence business strategies in the years to come.

Can't join us in person? Select online ticket at checkout to receive a streaming link to watch live.

About our speakers

Andrew Ayres is a leading expert in digital transformation and artificial intelligence, currently Master Strategist for UK & Ireland at Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, advising on transformation, big data, and AI. With a BSc in Biological Sciences, an MBA, a PhD in AI & Machine Learning in progress and having held several senior roles at Gartner and Micro Focus (now OpenText), his expertise spans financial services, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and more.

As Discussion Leader at HPE’s Customer Innovation Centre and a member of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence, Andrew is at the forefront of AI research and application. Passionate about the synergy between humans and machines in the workplace, Andrew champions AI's role in organisational success.

Katja Hofmann is a Senior Principal Researcher in the Machine Intelligence theme at Microsoft Research Cambridge, where she leads a pioneering team focused on Deep Reinforcement Learning for Games. Her mission is to push the boundaries of reinforcement learning, leveraging video games as a transformative tool to enhance AI technology and human-AI interaction. One of her notable projects is Project Malmo, which utilises Minecraft to experiment and develop intelligent systems.

Hofmann's impressive academic background includes a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Amsterdam, where she collaborated with renowned researchers Maarten de Rijke and Shimon Whiteson. Her work on smart search engines that adapt through user interaction showcases her deep expertise in AI and machine learning.

Her experience and innovative projects exemplify the empowering potential of AI to address complex real-world challenges, making her the perfect candidate to discuss the positive impacts of AI.

Joycelyn Longdon is a pioneering environmental activist and AI researcher, currently pursuing a PhD in Artificial Intelligence for Environmental Risk at the University of Cambridge. She is the Founder of ClimateInColour, a platform dedicated to making climate science more accessible and diverse. With a strong background in astrophysics and AI, Joycelyn combines cutting-edge technology with environmental advocacy. Regularly featured on the Sky News Daily Climate Show, she is a compelling speaker on ecological justice, sustainability, and the role of emerging technologies in combating climate change.

Rutger de Ruiter is the Head of Product for SaaS at CM.com, a publicly listed, global leader in cloud software for customer engagement. In this capacity, he leads CM.com's activities and products in Generative AI, Predictive AI and classical NLP - enjoyed by countless top-tier clients around the globe. He evangelises the dramatic change that the new wave of AI will bring to organisations and the world at large - in and outside of CM.com. This vision is rooted in the practical experience and know-how of creating and shipping both AI models and their accompanying products, to bring today's organisations into the world of tomorrow.With deep knowledge, strong opinions and a simultaneous penchant for breaking down complex technologies in comprehensible ways, Rutger promises to be an engaging and thought-provoking panellist.

Can't join us in person? Select online ticket in the checkout to receive a streaming link to watch live.

*Please note that filming/photography will be taking place on site for the duration of this event for promotional and archival purposes. The photographs and recordings made are likely to appear on our website. If you would prefer not to be photographed please let Fora know on arrival to the event.

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