Monday’s sessions heard from diverse expert panels on topics including artificial intelligence, public services, cybersecurity, manufacturing tech, digital inclusion, startup finance, and sustainability tech. 

Online attendees around the world can now catch up with recorded sessions by registering through Wales Tech Week’s platform partner Haia. To access the hybrid features of the event including the programme, live streaming, chat in the session Q&A, and more, visit https://event.haia.live/event/599  

Key highlights:

• Sessions on artificial intelligence drew large audiences and questions from the floor. Global AI expert Danilo McGarry told the Headline stage that artificial intelligence represents "the single biggest commercial opportunity available to businesses worldwide”, with the potential to catalyse profound changes in the global economy within three to five years. A panel of AI experts – including Swansea University’s Matt Jones, Professor of Human-Computer Interaction – further emphasised the need for a thoughtful, inclusive debate to grasp AI's potential and its wide-ranging impact
• On tech in public services, digital leaders from key UK Government data bodies —Companies House, ONS, DVLA, and the Intellectual Property Office – explored the innovative prospects for the public sector and its transformation towards a digital future, including the use of artificial intelligence
• Cybersecurity, cyber threats, and resilience were the subject of one of the afternoon’s headline events, sponsored by the Cyber Innovation Hub, with their director Prof Pete Burnap, joined by Tony Burton, Managing Director, Cybersecurity & Trust at Wales Tech Week partner Thales; Philomena Lavery, Director Information and Cyber Security (CISO) at National Highways; and Sarah Armstrong-Smith, Chief Security Advisor at Microsoft

A key highlight was the joint announcement of a Collaboration Innovation Plan by the Welsh Government’s Minister for the Economy Vaughan Gething and Innovate UK’s CEO Indro Mukerjee. In his opening address, the Minister also highlighted the significance of a strong technology industry on the economy and the importance of addressing the potential impact of artificial intelligence.

A recurring theme throughout the day was the imperative of developing skills for the technology sector – upskilling the current workforce, developing the next generation and engaging the broader public in shaping the trajectory of tech and digital inclusion.

Wales Tech Week’s inaugural in-person event saw a significant turnout of over 1,500 attendees, welcoming a Welsh, UK, and international audience to ICC Wales in Newport.

Among the international attendees was HE the Hon Stephen Smith, High Commissioner of Australia to the United Kingdom, and delegates from Japan, Canada, Spain, the Dominican Republic, Sri Lanka, Estonia, and the Republic of Congo.