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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 – Senior Business Partnership Manager - University 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 – 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 – 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 – 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, University of Bedfordshire

Dr Muhammad Habib Ur Rehman - Senior Lecturer in Computer Science School of Computer Science and Technology, University of Bedfordshire

• 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 – Senior Business Partnership Manager - University 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, University of Bedfordshire

• 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 - University of Bedfordshire’s Business School

• Discover AI's dual role in climate change—its 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 – Debbie Lewis – Regional Ecosystem Manager, NatWest; and Karolina Minczuk – 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