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AI-powered growth: Tackling challenges and empowering businesses

In partnership with Central Bedfordshire Council and West Northamptonshire Council, the 天美传媒 is hosting a 鈥淎I-Powered Growth鈥 event on Thursday 20th February from 10am 鈥 2pm at Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre.

Join us to hear from industry experts and professionals who will share insights and strategies necessary for utilising AI to tackle challenges, drive innovation, and empower sustainable business growth.

Event Highlights:

  • Expert Insights: Discover the latest regional business support and funding programmes.
  • AI in Action: Explore how AI can address challenges, enhance efficiency, and drive innovation to empower your business.
  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded professionals, industry leaders, and support organisations to create opportunities for collaboration and growth.
  • Interactive Breakout Sessions: Participate in focused sessions on AI, Net Zero, and available funding opportunities tailored to support your business needs.

Start time: 10 am

End time: 10:15 am

(15 minutes)

Activity: Arrival & refreshments

Start time: 10:15 am

End time: 10:20 am

(5 minutes)

Item 1| Welcome, Housekeeping & Introductions

Speaker: Nathan March 鈥 Senior Business Partnership Manager - 天美传媒 ecosystem partnerships

  • Housekeeping and brief overview of the event and speakers.

Start time: 10:20 am

End time: 10:25 am

(5 minutes)

Item 2| FSB - How they can support the local area / SME Support Available

Speaker: Charlie Smith - Business Advisor, Federation of Small Businesses

Start time: 10:25 am

End time: 10:30 am

(5 minutes)

Item 3| AI business support at the South Midlands Growth Hub

Speaker: Sam Hunter 鈥 Partnerships and Events Manager, SEM Growth Hub

  • An introduction to the fully funded business support you can access at the Growth Hub.
  • Take advantage of our AI expert in residence programme to learn how your business could become more efficient with the use of the latest AI technologies.

Start time: 10:30 am

End time: 10:40 am

(10 minutes)

Item 4 | Midlands Engine Investment Fund II

Speaker: Amrit Sami 鈥 Investment Associate, Mercia Ventures

Overview of the fund in relation to AI integration.

Start time: 10:40 am

End time: 10:50 am

(10 minutes)

Item 5 | Support for innovative businesses

Speaker: Tom Graver 鈥 Project Manager, Innovate UK

  • Overview of Innovate UK Business Growth support (formerly EDGE support)
  • Overview on the IUK Bridge AI programme

Start time: 10.50 am

End time: 11:35 am

(45 minutes)

Item 6 | AI Integration

Speakers: Dr Edward Braund - Head of School of Computer Science and Technology, 天美传媒

Dr Muhammad Habib Ur Rehman - Senior Lecturer in Computer Science School of Computer Science and Technology, 天美传媒

  • Updates on AI Ecosystem (Data, Technologies, Solutions)
  • AI Opportunities: Improving customer experience, decision-making, and productivity
  • AI for Innovation: Leveraging AI for smarter business processes
  • Ethical AI: Overcoming challenges like security, compliance, and legacy systems

Start time: 11:35 am

End time: 11.50 am

(15 minutes)

Item 7 | Q & A

Start time: 11:50 am

End time: 12.50 am

(1h)

Lunch & Networking Opportunity

Start time: 12.50 pm

End time: 1 pm

(10 mins)

Item 8 | Raffle

Speaker: Nathan March 鈥 Senior Business Partnership Manager - 天美传媒 ecosystem partnerships

Start time: 1 pm

End time: 2 pm

(1h)

2x 25 min slots (repeated content)

Item 9 | Breakout sessions

AI in Action - Edward and Habib - School of Computer Science and Technology, 天美传媒

  • How an AI language model can analyse data packets to improve cybersecurity for SMEs.
  • How small businesses can leverage AI tools to generate blog posts, social media updates, ad copy, and emails quickly.
  • How businesses can enhance their workforce skills, streamline onboarding, and boost productivity with AI-driven training solutions.
  • How AI tools can identify missing consent, expose sensitive data, and highlight compliance risks within your business data.
  • How AI can enhance workplace safety in real-time alongside experiencing how robots can support safety and efficiency in the workplace.

Net Zero with AI - Dr Andrew Grantham - 天美传媒鈥檚 Business School

  • Discover AI's dual role in climate change鈥攊ts energy demands and its potential to optimise systems for sustainability.
  • Explore how AI-powered solutions can mitigate climate impact by enhancing energy efficiency and managing demand curves.
  • Learn how AI tools enable businesses to adapt to a warming world through innovative processes and system management.

Funding for Business 鈥 Debbie Lewis 鈥 Regional Ecosystem Manager, NatWest; and Karolina Minczuk 鈥 Relationship Management Lead (Commercial Banking), NatWest

  • support that NatWest Group provides to SMEs to assist your Tech, AI or Innovative business growth journey.
  • From free-to-access Accelerator programme, pitch events to first-to-market IP lending for high growth businesses and much much more!

Start time: 2 pm

End time: 2.15 pm

(15 mins)

Thank you for attending & Wrap up

REGISTRATION HAS NOW CLOSED.

Based in Central Beds, West Northants or Luton area? Visit UKSPF: Business Support听to access funded business support initiatives, including a wide range of industry-focused workshops.

Alternatively, please get in touch via a short form