5 key learnings from our AI conference that offer a lens to the future
For the next generation of researchers, in health data science or elsewhere, AI will be a dominant force, enabling them to achieve far more and at greater speed than ever before. Co-organiser Hazel Keys, reflects on the recent UK AI conference for early career researchers, which was hosted by HDR UK.
AI is already affecting many areas of life — often in ways we couldn’t have predicted — and with it bringing far-reaching potential for change. It will be essential for the up-and-coming generation of researchers to harness its potential. And as the change is taking place at incredible speed and in every imaginable field, the only way to do this is by taking a multidisciplinary view.
HDR UK recently contributed to this by hosting the third UK AI conference for early career researchers (ECRs). It brought together 130 attendees from many different fields for two days of talks, presentations, networking and other events covering everything from theory to real-world implementation.
So, what were the key takeaways from this event?
Harnessing AI’s potential is complex — there is a lot to cover
The range of topics explored during the conference was dazzling with experts and practitioners exploring every aspect of AI. Some were at the grandest scale, tackling issues like its use in accelerating scientific research to applications.
Other topics showed the value of AI in bringing help to people in novel ways, for example a chatbot supporting girls in West and Central Africa facing gender-based violence.
Can we really build AI systems that respect human rights?
Attendees of the event had the chance to explore some of the most important issues underpinning the development of AI and machine learning.
Dr Anjali Mazumder of the Alan Turing Institute, led discussions on whether we can really build systems that respect human rights.
Why public involvement and engagement in AI is so important
There was also a focus on the meaningful, rather than tokenistic, involvement of the public in research. Issues of this kind are important in all areas of AI development, but especially so in healthcare where there is such a dependence on sensitive personal data.
This was powerfully emphasised in the PEDRI (Public Engagement in Data Research Initiative) panel discussion which explored why public involvement and engagement in AI and data research is so important, and why it should become a normal part of how we do AI-driven data research.
Why do so many AI ideas die before they can benefit patients?
Professor Alastair Denniston of HDR UK looked at a subject close to the hearts of many researchers — why so many great AI ideas die before they can benefit patients and how that can be changed. The conference also involved a series of poster presentations, which gave ECRs the chance to present great new ideas that have the potential to change lives. These included:
- Beth Pearson, University of Bristol – LLM for Enhancing Radiology Reports
- Arshdeep Singh, University of Surrey – Efficient AI for Sound using Pruning
- Alex Burr, Natural History Museum & University College London – Automatic Data Extraction from Historical Accession Registers at the Natural History Museum.
Events like these are crucial
At HDR UK we are committed to supporting ECRs so events like this conference matter a great deal in offering attendees the chance to meet like-minded people, discover new ideas and present their own work.
It was great to see so many sessions described as “inspirational” in reflective LinkedIn posts. From Saleh Mohamed’s demonstration of an AI-powered horizon scanning tool for medical technologies, to Sarah Kiden’s introduction of a participatory and speculative design to shape AI governance proactively (not reactively), audiences left feeling impressed and hopeful.
And let’s not forget the fun that was had, like at an AI music session presented by Professor Steve Benford.
For some attendees, the conference was a brilliant chance to join the dots between areas of research and for others, it was an opportunity to take a deep dive into some of the most profound questions facing the contemporary world.
But ultimately, we hope it provided a chance to provide a glimpse in to the astounding possibilities being opened up by AI, and to engage with those who are turning them into realities that have the capacity to transform lives for the better.
Want to get involved in the conversation? Whether you’ve attended HDR UK events before, or you’re new here, check out our upcoming event schedule and sign up to anything you’re interested in — many of them are free to attend!
