Artificial Intelligence: What you need to know!

An evening of Artificial Intelligence discovery, discussion and comedy!

Join us on Thursday 11th September 2025 for ‘AI: What You Need to Know‘, a fascinating and thought-provoking event that delves into the fast-evolving world of Artificial Intelligence providing insights, laughs and a lively discussion. Whether you're a curious newcomer, tech enthusiast, or seasoned tech professional, this event offers something for everyone.

Featuring an engaging panel of leading AI experts from both industry and academia, we'll be exploring the hottest topics in AI with plenty of eye-opening facts along the way. Bring your burning questions for our interactive Q&A session, where you’ll have the opportunity to ask the AI experts.

Adding a unique twist to the evening, you'll also enjoy a dose of AI related comedy that’s guaranteed to entertain! Prior to the panel, there will be time for networking with soft drinks and nibbles provided.

Proudly sponsored and brought to you by AiLab (Artificial Intelligence Laboratory), University of Southampton and the Web Science Institute and supported by Business South and Clockwork Southampton. This event is your chance to connect, learn, and laugh. We look forward to seeing you there!

Please submit any questions you may have upon registering for the event.

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EVENT DETAILS

This event will take place on Thursday 11th September 2025 at Clockwise Southampton, Mountbatten House, 1 Grosvenor Square, Southampton, Hampshire, UK, SO15 2JU.

Registrations will open at 5.45pm with the event concluding at 8pm.

There will be someone to meet you by the entrance, so please register your name upon arrival. Limited spaces available, so bookings are essential.

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EVENT SCHEDULE

Registrations Open: 5.45pm

5.45pm: Drinks, nibbles and networking

6pm: Welcome – Dr. John Flackett: Co-founder and Head, AiLab

6.15pm: Q&A with panel of AI experts

• Teresa Hogsbjerg (MC): Strategic Economy Lead, Hampshire County Council
• Dr. John Flackett: Co-founder and Head, AiLab
• Elaine Harding: Founder and CEO, AugmentAero
• Professor Les Carr: Web Science Professor, University of Southampton

7.30pm: AI Comedy with Professor Les Carr

7.45pm: Wrap-up

Event Closes: 8pm

Please see below for speaker bios.

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VENUE & PARKING

Thank you so much to Clockwise Southampton for allowing us to use their awesome venue. Clockwise is located in the landmark Mountbatten House (opposite Grosvenor House by the roundabout) on Grosvenor Square. It’s a 15 minute walk from Southampton Central station and for car parking there is a pay and display a few minutes away from the venue.

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AI SPEAKER PANEL

Teresa Hogsbjerg (MC)

Strategic Economy Lead, Hampshire County Council

LinkedIn: Teresa Hogsbjerg | Website: Hampshire County Council

Teresa Hogsbjerg is the Strategic Economy Lead for Hampshire County Council responsible for delivery of the Economic Strategy for Hampshire and associated Economy and Growth Plan. With significant experience in working in economic development, grants and business support, Teresa works across multiple clusters in the region connecting national and local government policy with opportunities for Hampshire.

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Dr. John Flackett (Host & Panellist)

Co-founder & Head, AiLab

X/Twitter: @drjohnflackett | @_AiLab | LinkedIn: Dr. John Flackett | Website: AiLab

Dr. John Flackett is a distinguished Artificial Intelligence educator, speaker, advisor, and consultant. Working in AI for 30 years and achieving his PhD in Artificial Intelligence in 2005, John is a recognised leader in the AI community. He was recently awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science for his contributions to Artificial Intelligence and education. John is the Co-founder and Head of AiLab (Artificial Intelligence Laboratory), an international AI education company with offices in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. AiLab provides AI workshops, research and advisory services, helping organisations become AI-ready. Before founding AiLab, John spent a decade as a senior university academic teaching AI at both undergraduate and master's levels. Additionally, John was the AI Specialist in Residence and AI Ambassador for Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand. An acclaimed international AI speaker, John's accolades include various awards and he is a sought-after media interviewee and contributor to publications. As an AI advisor and consultant, he has served on multiple boards and committees, including Australia's Federal Government Artificial Intelligence Action Plan Committee.

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Elaine Harding (Panellist)

Founder and CEO, AugmentAero

LinkedIn: Elaine Harding | Website: AugmentAero

Elaine is the CEO and Founder of AugmentAero, where she leads the vision and development of cutting-edge AI and AR technologies for the aerospace maintenance sector. With over 10 years experience in the aerospace industry, Elaine is the driving force behind the company's mission to enhance reliability, efficiency and safety across maintenance operations.

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Professor Leslie Carr (Panellist & Comedian)

Web Science Professor, University of Southampton & Science Standup Comedian

X/Twitter: @lescarr | LinkedIn: Les Carr | Website: University of Southampton

Leslie Carr is Professor of Web Science at University of Southampton, he is also the Deputy Director of Web Science Institute and AI@Southampton initiative. Les' research studies the impact of the web on society and advocates for Open Access and Open Data. Away from research Les is also a stand-up comedian, writing comedy shows to explain the University’s Web Science and AI research topics to public audiences. He has trained over 50 fellow academics and researchers to adapt their work into stand-up comedy material. Les has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and hosts Southampton Science Comedy.

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SPONSOR & ORGANISER DETAILS

AiLab (Artificial Intelligence Laboratory)

X/Twitter: @_AiLab | LinkedIn: AiLab | Website: AiLab

AiLab assists organisations across the globe with navigating and learning about the exciting field of Artificial Intelligence. We have helped thousands of people within industry, government, community and academia via our AI workshops, talks, research and advisory services. Launched in 2017 with offices in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, AiLab train organisations to be AI-ready, empowering companies to develop AI skills and capability, and build effective strategies for implementing AI.

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University of Southampton (UoS)

X/Twitter: UoS | LinkedIn: UoS | Website: UoS

University of Southampton is a global top 100 university and founding member of the Russell Group. Based in Southampton for over 150 years, the university is committed to excellence and impact by combining power of education, research, and knowledge exchange and enterprise. Southampton has a long and impressive history of research and development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, most recently focusing on responsible, trustworthy and secure AI. The university is the home of the Web Science Institute and RAI UK (Responsible AI).

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Web Science Institute (WSI)

X/Twitter: WSI | LinkedIn: WSI | Website: WSI

Web Science Institute (WSI) is an interdisciplinary research institute based at University of Southampton. We bring together world-class, interdisciplinary, socio-technical expertise in web science, data science and artificial intelligence to leverage the unique role of online technologies in tackling the world’s most pressing problems. WSI works with global partners in data, platform governance, social trust, democratic innovation and technological sustainability to create new knowledge that leads to new solutions. WSI leads the AI@Southampton initiative, which aims to strengthen collaboration and accelerate the University’s research into AI.