Makers, not takers: Britain’s fight for its own AI future
AI is already reshaping how software is built, how services are delivered, and how institutions function. Yet there remains a significant gap between ambition and execution.
The UK faces a critical window of opportunity to lead. But many leaders are grappling with the need for decisive action, both in policy and in how public sector organisations operate.
With the Sovereign AI fund, the UK took the first step towards minimise dependency on foreign technology with its £500M investment in domestic startups, including Cosine.
This private breakfast panel brings together senior figures from government, policy, and industry to explore what needs to happen now to secure the UK’s AI future.
We will explore:
What government must do to position the UK as a global leader in AI, including investment, procurement reform, faster routes to adoption, and how the public sector can act as a catalyst for UK scale-ups
How public sector leaders should rethink operating models, workforce structures, and delivery approaches in response to AI-driven changes in software development
Where AI is already delivering value in public services and where expectations are misaligned
How to balance innovation with governance, security, and accountability in high-stakes environments
Bringing together influential voices from across government and industry, this will be a candid, off-the-record discussion.
Breakfast, coffee, and refreshments provided.
Agenda
9:30 - 10:15 : Check-in, coffee, and light pastries
10:15 - 10:30 : Opening Remarks
10:30 - 11:15 : Panel discussion
11:15 - 12:00 : Networking
Panellists
Mike Potter : Former Chief Digital Officer, UK Government
Lord Ed Vaizey : Member of the House of Lords
Dr. Laura Gilbert : Senior Director of AI, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
Dan de la Rosa : Head of Solutions and Propositions, Serco
Professor Charlotte Deane : Professor, University of Oxford
Alistair Pullen : Founder & CEO, Cosine
With opening remarks by Lord Ed Vaizey.