Better Director Series Navigating the AI landscape
Are you looking to start implementing AI strategies but are not sure where to start? Do you want to understand the implications and possibilities of AI for your business?
Our expert panel of speakers will walk you through the significant Al landscape, specifically tailored to an SME audience, sharing their knowledge and best practices with you, and providing insight into their own experiences and market trends.
BOOKINGS NOW CLOSED
Ever found yourself asking any of the following questions? Then this event is for you.
- Why bother?
- Where do I start?
- Is any funding available?
- Is it too much of a project for my company?
- What sort of a team would I need around me?
- How much in-house technical expertise do I need?
- How long would a project take?
- When will I see a return?
- What legal issues do I need to think about?
- What about the data reliance on AI will generate?
You will have the chance to ask your own questions, connect with fellow directors and meet the national and NW teams from the IoD, as well as indulging in some delightful refreshments from the team at The Midland Hotel, in Central Manchester. Following the plenary presentations, there will be an opportunity to join one of two speed networking sessions, following the panel discussion, plus the opportunity to pose specific questions or issues you may have on a 1:1 or small group basis in our AI clinics.
The IoD is proud to work with a number of third party organisations for the provision of specialist products and services, some of whom will also be in attendance on the day for further information and advice on their services.
Watch this space for speaker announcements in the coming weeks. Refreshments included
This event is eligible for 1 hour CPD credit
Speakers
Dr. Annabel Latham FHEA SMIEEE - Senior Lecturer Manchester Metropolitan University
Dr Annabel Latham is a Senior Lecturer, Department of Computing and Mathematics at Manchester Metropolitan University. She is a Senior Member of the IEEE, Chair of IEEE Computational Intelligence Society Education Strategy Planning subcommittee, Past Chair of IEEE UK & Ireland Women in Engineering (2019-2022), and a UK STEM Ambassador.
Annabel’s research includes conversational agents (chatbots), user profiling, adaptive systems, intelligent tutoring systems, big data, agent intelligence and knowledge engineering. Her recent focus is on two key challenges: ethics and public trust in AI and developing AI systems for Education to improve access and support success in personalised learning. Annabel has helped SMEs develop AI products and services through the AI Foundry, Centre for Digital Innovation and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships.
Eric Applewhite - Deloitte
I lead Deloitte’s Artificial Intelligence and Data practice for the North of England. I’ve been fortunate to have a 25+ year career across Public Sector digital and data transformation programmes that’s kept me learning and helped me build rewarding relationships with colleagues and clients. I’m fascinated by the data agenda, most of all because it allows me to stay at the centre of the public sector’s efforts to make a difference to people and places. The promise of GenAI can help us all use data to improve our outcomes at a scale that is truly transformational, but it has created a number of questions as well. What is GenAI really? Is the hype deserved and what is its value? What do we need to have in place for GenAI to succeed? And how does my organization get ready to strike the right balance between going all in on GenAI and proceeding with caution?
Helen Tonks - Managing Director Hydraulics Online Ltd
“I am the vision and drive behind the growth of the multi award-winning Hydraulics Online brand; from a business start-up with a blank sheet of paper to the Department for Business and Trade Export Champion and global provider that we are today - serving customers across 20 sectors in 130 countries around the world.
Mentoring, coaching and supporting others is in my DNA. I simply can’t remember, or imagine, not doing it. When Manchester Metropolitan University’s triple-accredited Business School approached me to support their delivery of the Government's Help to Grow Management Programme, it was simply time to formalise what I had already been doing for so long - and that’s when InspiresMe Consulting was born. My commitment to making a difference was recognised in 2022 when I was selected to join the Northern Power Women Power List. The Power List “celebrates individuals who challenge the norm and use their influence and power for good… the influential trailblazers from across the North.
In January 2023, my contribution was further underlined through being shortlisted for Mentor of the Year within the prestigious Northern Power Women Awards - celebrating a community of some 70,000 individuals."
Sponsors
Manchester Metropolitan University
At Manchester Metropolitan, our research experts help organisations to innovate, improve, and grow. We help you achieve your goals through R&D, new product or service development, operations management, and so much more. Contact our dedicated Innovation Team who will match you with the right experts and support a productive partnership that helps you find the right solutions. [email protected]

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