Building the Right Foundations for AI

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the global economy, unlocking opportunities, and challenging traditional thinking across sectors. But as momentum builds, the question remains: Are we laying the right foundations to ensure AI benefits everyone responsibly and strategically?

As part of Leeds Digital Festival, this exclusive panel discussion convenes senior leaders from across Government and the wider public sector, including the National Wealth Fund, British Business Bank, and UK Export Finance, with Microsoft also in attendance, to explore how public-private collaboration can foster a thriving, future-ready AI ecosystem.

The panel will be hosted by the National Wealth Fund’s Chief Information Officer, who will open the session with insights into why AI is a cornerstone of the NWF’s technology strategy. This will be followed by a dynamic panel discussion exploring:

• The government's role in the responsible development and adoption of AI across the Civil Service and Arm's Length Bodies
• Building infrastructure, skills, and institutions that support AI at scale
• The importance of ethics, governance, and trust in deployment
• The role of major technology players, like Microsoft, in shaping AI’s future within public sector

Our Speakers:

Jen Anderson | CIO | National Wealth Fund

Simon Downes | Chief Data Architect | National Wealth Fund

Kapil Mehta | Head of Engineering | UKEF

Susan Almack | Managing Director Change and Innovation | British Business Bank

Alice Shaw | Technology Strategist | Microsoft

Why attend?

Whether you’re in tech, finance, policy, or innovation, this event offers critical insights into how the UK can lead in AI through strong foundations, responsible growth, and cross-sector collaboration.

Refreshments will be provided

Host or Publisher National Wealth Fund