Agenda
Monday 15th June 2026
09:00 - 09:15
Chairs introduction and opening remarks
Speaker:
Heba Bevan OBE - CEO, Utterberry
09:15 - 09:45
The geopolitics of AI: Water, energy and the competition for resources
Artificial intelligence is driving unprecedented demand for data centres, energy and the physical infrastructure that supports them. Less visible, but equally important, is the growing demand for water.
As AI adoption accelerates, questions are emerging around resource security, infrastructure planning and the long-term sustainability of increasingly data-intensive technologies. Drawing on wider geopolitical trends in water scarcity, resource competition and global stability, this session examines how access to water, energy and critical infrastructure could shape the future development of AI, and why these issues are becoming strategic considerations for governments, investors and industry leaders alike.
Speaker:
Sir Liam Fox - Chair, UK Abraham Accords
09:45 - 10:45
AI governance across borders: Who will attract the winners?
AI regulation is developing at different speeds across global markets, with governments balancing innovation, risk and competitiveness. As countries compete to attract talent, investment and high-growth technology businesses, policy decisions are increasingly shaping where companies choose to build, scale, export and raise capital.
This session explores how regulatory frameworks are evolving across key markets and what this means for organisations navigating international growth in an increasingly competitive global landscape.
Speakers:
Phillip Souta - Global Director for Tech Policy, Clifford Chance
Hitesh Patel - Export Finance Manager, UK Export Finance
Neil Shah - Head of Tech Sector, London Stock Exchange
Moderator:
Liam Halligan, Senior Economic Commentator, Telegraph Media Group
10:45 - 11:15
Networking & coffee break
11:15 - 12:30
AI, security and national resilience: Protecting critical infrastructure in the age of intelligent systems
As AI becomes embedded within critical infrastructure, defence systems and national services, resilience is becoming as important as capability. Governments and organisations face growing challenges around cyber threats, infrastructure security, supply chains and the protection of increasingly intelligent systems.
A discussion on the role of AI in national security and defence strategy, how critical infrastructure can be protected, and the measures required to ensure trust, resilience and operational continuity in an increasingly connected world.
Speakers:
Andrew Badger - CSO, Coalition Systems & Co-author ‘ The Great Heist’
Alex Burton - Co-Founder, Alchem Technology
Alfred Van Der Klis - Co-Founder, Society College
Moderator:
Liam Halligan, Senior Economic Commentator, Telegraph Media Group
12:30 - 13:45
Networking & lunch
13:45 - 15:00
AI in high-performance environments: Data, energy and competitive edge
From Formula E race teams to major venues and complex infrastructure, organisations are using AI to make faster decisions, optimise resources and improve performance in real time. Whether managing energy consumption, predicting demand, modelling outcomes or enhancing operational efficiency, data is becoming a critical competitive advantage.
How leading organisations are applying AI in environments where performance, reliability and responsiveness matter most, and what other industries can learn from these approaches to improve efficiency, resilience and decision-making.
Speakers:
Dan Cherowbrier - CTO, Formula E
George Vaughen - Director of Technology, Aviva Arena at YTL Live and Brabazon
Peter Van Manen - Engineering, Badass Studios
Moderator:
Beth Paretta - Managing Director, Citroen Racing Team Formula E Team & CEO, Paretta Autosport
15:00 - 16:00
Global AI investment flows: Capital, competition and strategic advantage
Investment in artificial intelligence is increasingly shaped by geography, national priorities and access to capital. While the United States and China continue to dominate many areas of AI investment, significant activity is also emerging across Europe, the United Kingdom and the Middle East as governments, investors and corporations seek to build competitive advantage.
As AI becomes a strategic technology, investment decisions are increasingly influenced by policy, infrastructure, talent and long-term economic priorities. How global capital is assessing AI opportunities, where investment is flowing today, and the role different regions are playing in shaping the next phase of AI development.
Speakers:
Tudor Brown - Co-Founder, Arm
Gareth Brown - CEO, Oak Holdings
Avinash Patel - Head of Software Investment Banking, Societe Generale
Moderator:
Liam Halligan, Senior Economic Commentator, Telegraph Media Group
16:00 - 16:30
Networking & coffee break
16:30 - 17:30
The AI arms race: Security, threats and defending intelligent systems
Artificial intelligence is transforming cyber security on both sides of the battlefield. Organisations are using AI to detect threats, strengthen defences and respond faster, while attackers are using the same technologies to automate attacks, exploit vulnerabilities and scale deception.
As AI becomes embedded across enterprise systems, the challenge is no longer simply adopting the technology, but securing it. How organisations are responding to the evolving threat landscape, managing AI-related risks and building resilience in an era where both attackers and defenders have access to increasingly powerful tools.
Speaker:
Sarah Rench - AI & GenAI Security Lead, Avanade
Moderator:
Liam Halligan, Senior Economic Commentator, Telegraph Media Group
Tuesday 16th June 2026
09:00 - 9:20
Chairs introduction
Speaker:
Heba Bevan OBE - CEO, UtterBerry
09:20 - 10:15
AI at a crossroads: Innovation, regulation and public trust
As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded across industry, infrastructure and public services, governments and organisations face growing questions around accountability, transparency and trust. How should AI be governed? What role should regulation play in supporting innovation while protecting citizens and consumers?
Lord Holmes of Richmond explores the future of AI governance, the UK's evolving regulatory landscape, and how policymakers, regulators and industry can work together to ensure intelligent systems remain accountable, transparent and aligned with the public interest.
Speaker:
Lord Holmes of Richmond MBE - Peer, House of Lords
Moderator:
Liam Halligan, Senior Economic Commentator, Telegraph Media Group
10:15 - 11:15
Building the AI workforce: Universities and real-world readiness
Universities play a central role in developing the next generation of AI talent, with increasing focus on how this aligns with industry needs. As organisations look to deploy AI in practical settings, demand is shifting towards applied skills, engineering capability and commercial awareness.
How education is evolving to reflect these changes, how universities are working with industry, and how graduates are being prepared to contribute in real-world environments.
Speakers:
Professor David Cardwell - Professor of Superconducting Engineering, University of Cambridge
Prof Owen Guy - Professor Of Chemistry and Semiconductors, Swansea University
Prof Sally Day - Professor of Photonics, University College London
Moderator:
Nitin Dahad - Executive Editor, EE Times
11:15 - 11:45
Networking & coffee
11:45 - 12:45
AI - Anarchy or Abundance? Why the Future of Work Needs Pro-Human Leaders
Based on the ideas explored in his recent book AI: Anarchy or Abundance?, Rob Garlick examines one of the defining leadership challenges of our age. As AI reshapes the workplace at unprecedented speed, how can organisations capture its benefits without losing sight of the human qualities that drive creativity, trust and progress? This keynote explores why the future will belong to leaders who can combine technological ambition with a deeply human approach to change
Speaker:
Prof Rob Garlick - Visiting Professor , University of Surrey
Moderator:
Liam Halligan, Senior Economic Commentator, Telegraph Media Group
12:45 - 14:15
Lunch & networking
14:15 - 15:15
Securing the silicon layer: Chips, edge AI and strategic resilience
As AI becomes increasingly embedded within critical infrastructure, defence systems and industrial environments, attention is shifting towards the hardware that underpins it. Advances in edge AI are creating new opportunities to process data closer to the point of use, while raising important questions around chip security, supply chain resilience and access to critical materials. With growing geopolitical tensions and increasing competition for semiconductor capability, governments and industry are examining how to secure the technologies that power intelligent systems.
A discussion on the future of edge AI, hardware security, semiconductor innovation and the strategic importance of materials, manufacturing and supply chains.
Speakers:
Dr. James Jonston - Director of Programme Management ,Advanced Materials Development
Haydn Povey- CEO, Silicon Semiconductor
Jonathan Dowell, Export Finance Manager, UK Export Finance
Moderator:
Nitin Dahad - Executive Editor, EE Times
15:15 - 16:15
Networking