After the success of previous talks, we are pleased to announce a further BCS Talk. BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, is committed to making IT good for society. We use the power of our network to bring about positive, tangible change. This talk is supported by OVO Energy Ltd. and will explore Europe’s Digital Cities Challenge and look at what lessons can be learnt from around 40 European cities.

The talk will focus on how these cities are using digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, data analytics, Internet of Things and blockchain to promote and support smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and tackle economic, environmental and social challenges.

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This talk will be delivered by John Higgins CBE. John Higgins has been the public face of the digital sector in Europe since November 2011 and speaks regularly on platforms and at conferences throughout Europe and beyond. He was Director General of DIGITALEUROPE, the association for the digital technology industry in Europe, until April 2017, following nine years leading its UK member association, Intellect, now TechUK. In spring of 2017 he became Chair of the Global Digital Foundation and a Senior Advisor to global communications company, Burson Cohn & Wolfe. He continues to chair DIGITALEUROPE's Brexit Advisory Council and is chair of the University of Warwick's European Advisory Board.

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The session will start with registration at 6.45pm, with pre-talk networking and refreshments, talk starting at 7.30pm, lasting approx. 45mins, followed by Q&A, with time allowing further networking and drinks to finish by c.9pm. More details on the talks can be found on the Bristol BCS website.

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The event is free of charge, but will require registration to ensure there are no capacity restrictions. The BCS talks are scheduled to be held in various locations throughout Bristol, where the majority of members are located. The talks aim to appeal to both existing and new members, young and old, and broadly technical and non-technical. The content of future topics are being investigated based on feedback from previous events and we are open to talk volunteers.