Oxford Brookes Global MBA community de-mystify AI at annual summer school
Artificial Intelligence has been the hot topic of discussion over the past year with the rapid acceleration of its capabilities having a global impact on businesses and the digital tools we use everyday.
The Oxford Brookes Global MBA community, which stretches around the world, came together in September to have a deep dive into a range of exciting and fascinating debates emerging around AI and ethics. Speakers included professionals working with Artificial Intelligence in the UK and internationally, along with academic colleagues from Oxford Brookes Business School, the Faculty of Technology, Design and Environment and Sheffield University.
Talks covered topics, including; ‘Current AI in the real world’, by Dr Matthias Rolf - Reader in Robotics and Machine Learning at Oxford Brookes, Professor Laurence Brooks (Sheffield University) on ‘AI Ethics – Just because we can, should we?’, ‘The Case for AI in Autonomous Vehicles’ given remotely by Global MBA alumnus, James McCubbin, Chief Engineer at TAE Power Solutions and ‘AI Governance as an Enabler for Value Creation’ by Emili Buddel-Rhodes, Lead Evangelist, Engineering Culture at Lexis Nexis, a leading global provider of legal and regulatory intelligence.
Diana Limburg, Programme Lead for the Global MBA commented:
“The Annual Summer School is a great opportunity for our students and alumni to engage with pertinent current topics as well as for networking with each other. As decision makers they all need to be aware of the potential of AI as well as its risks. It’s really pleasing that the excellent turnout and lively discussions on the day confirm the appetite in our MBA Community for continuous learning and development and responsible leadership”.
Some reactions from attendees:
“Horizon expanding”, MBA student Ella Barrington (self-employed Consultant and Contractor and RSA Fellow).
“It was a great day of learning, fun, eating and networking!”, alumna Eyum Ejiga, Managing Director EE-Bridging Solutions Ltd.
“Fascinating talks on Demystifying AI and a great networking opportunity”, Sean Grace, MBA student, Account Manager, Liquidlogic.
“There is so much to unpack in this space, and it was great to hear leaders in the field, professors and professionals talk through their knowledge and experience. It was a fantastic day and a great introduction to my Brookes MBA”, MBA student Kevin Bender, Customer Success Manager EMEA, Orbus Software.
Oxford Brookes University has been very much engaged in discussions around AI and ethics through the Artificial Intelligence and Data research network who hosted their first ever Festival of AI back in February. The festival included panels on AI in science, business, law and the the arts, and offered hands-on, practical advice on how to maximise the benefits of the new technologies for employees, customers, and society as a whole.