Chancellor's Lecture 2026 - Mark Fordyce
About this Event
This year we are delighted to welcome Mark as our guest speaker, and look forward to hearing more about his journey into the world of AI and questioning whether he feels current advancements in AI have the potential to stifle human creativity if over relied upon.
While AI thrives on massive datasets, high speed computational power and advanced algorithms to identify patterns, automate tasks and generate insights it currently lacks explainability and transparency that can only be found from human interaction. Mark will lead us in a discussion through the complexities of this technology addressing the one question many people are asking, ‘Could AI K*ll Creativity?’
About Mark
Mark started his career as a recording artist signed to RCA records in the early eighties going on to sell over a million records. He is the founder and Managing Director of York Data Services Limited, a business ISP and Cloud managed services provider based in York serving over 700 businesses across the UK. Mark sold York Data Services in 2024 to equity backed Communicate Group in a multi-million pound deal. He holds directorships in several northern-based companies from high technology to music publishing and is a founding board member of IXLeeds, a neutral not-for-profit Internet Exchange Point based in the UK. Mark is now building a new recording and media rights company, Sugarstar Limited, bringing his journey full circle.
Doors Open: 5.45pm
Event starts: 6.00pm
Lecture finishes: 7.00pm
Followed by a drinks reception, canapés and informal conversation with Mark until 7.30pm.
Events Access & Inclusivity
At York St John University we are committed to making our events as welcoming and inclusive for as many people as possible.
If you are planning to attend one of our events and have specific access requirements, including wheelchair access, then please contact us by e: [email protected] or t: 01904 876318 and we will make every effort to accommodate you.
If you need a suitable seat reserved for you (and your companions), please let us know, preferably at least one week before the event. Sign language interpreters and real-time captioning may be requested in advance. Please contact us as soon as possible (ideally at least 3 weeks before the date of the event) if you require either BSL interpretation or captioning. We will try our best but cannot guarantee provision.
Parking
There is no parking for any vehicles on site and ANPR cameras are in operation 24/7.
We have a small number of Blue Badge spaces available, these spaces can only be used if guests have pre registered their number plates by emailing [email protected].
Registering your details does not guarantee a space, as they operate on a first come, first served basis. Please ensure your blude badge is displayed clearly in the vehicle.
Privacy Policy
York St John University will use the data you submit in Eventbrite for the purposes of administering this event. York St John University utilises third party software for data storage, tracking and analysis activity but your details will not be used by any of these third parties in order to contact you Any data you share with us will be used to help us improve your event experience and for event tracking and analysis activity within the University.
We will only send you important information and reminders related to the event you have booked unless you tell us otherwise. During the booking process, if you opt-in to receive emails about the latest events hosted and supported by York St John University, you consent to York St John University contacting you with relevant information.
If you no longer wish to hear from us you can opt-out at any time by changing your contact preferences via the link in emails you receive from us or by emailing [email protected].
Freedom of Speech
Freedom of speech within the law and academic freedom are core principles of our University and underpin our mission to foster intellectual curiosity, rigorous debate, and the pursuit of knowledge. Our staff / students / SU colleagues are entitled to express their ideas and views, providing they do not violate the law. The law rightly prohibits speech that incites violence, terrorism and hate, but does not prohibit speech that others may find upsetting or offensive.
As a University that embodies social justice, we expect people to treat each other with dignity and respect, but it is not our role to censor ways of thinking or stifle debate between those who hold opposing views.
We understand that it can be frustrating to face views and perspectives that do not reflect our inclusive ethos at York St John University. However, we will not take disciplinary action against staff or students for lawful expression of their views, regardless of petitions, media campaigns or other external pressures.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 0.00
