Value, Values, and Future Platforms
How should institutions invest in human and technology capabilities and co-evolve to create growth and value? How might public and private enterprises best collaborate - or compete - around emerging technologies, such as AI, synthetic biology, and energy, to drive prosperity, health, education, and beyond?
These technologies offer stunning potential for shared futures. Their development, however, is influenced by overlapping and competing innovation ecosystems whose purpose and values do not necessarily align. As policymakers and investors alike debate whether stakeholders or shareholders deserve investment priority and protection, clarifying values, as well as value, becomes paramount.
The United Kingdom's innovation ecosystem is highly interconnected, with universities, government, and industry collaborating closely. The UK government has been at the forefront of promoting innovation through various initiatives, including a newly established department dedicated to science and technology to create higher-paying jobs, improve public services, and stimulate economic growth.
Join us in London to explore technology through three complementary perspectives: Economic Value, Social Values, and the Future of Platforms. We will advance the conversation around several increasingly important questions and provide actional insights to all participants, comprising of senior leaders, including MIT ILP corporate members, partners, and BT clients and stakeholders.
Ed Stainton is the Director of Major Government at BT.
Steve Palmer is a Director within MIT’s Office of Corporate Relations. Steven comes to OCR with many years of experience building relationships, advancing diplomacy, and seeking new business initiatives in both the public and private sectors. He has spent his career highlighting and translating technological issues for policy makers, engineers, analysts, and business leaders. Steven has worked in government, industry, and academia in the U.S. and abroad. He is also an Executive Coach at MIT Sloan and Harvard Business School. Steven earned his Bachelor of Science at Northeastern University, and his M.B.A. at MIT Sloan where he was in the Fellows Program for Innovation and Global Leadership.
Andy Haldane is the Chief Executive of the RSA.
Andy was formerly Chief Economist at the Bank of England and a member of the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee. Among other positions, he is an Honorary Professor at the Universities of Nottingham, Manchester, and Exeter, Visiting Professor at King’s College, London, a Visiting Fellow at Nuffield College, Oxford, and a Fellow of the Royal Society and the Academy of Social Sciences. Andrew is Founder and President of the charity Pro Bono Economics, Vice-Chair of the charity National Numeracy and Chair of the National Numeracy Leadership Council. Andrew was the Permanent Secretary for Levelling Up at the Cabinet Office from September 2021 to March 2022 and chairs the Government’s Levelling Up Advisory Council. He has authored around 200 articles and 4 books.
Michael Schrage is a research fellow with the MIT Sloan School of Management's Initiative on the Digital Economy. His research, writing, and advisory work focuses on the behavioral economics of models, prototypes, and metrics as strategic resources for managing innovation risk and opportunity. He is author of the award-winning book The Innovator’s Hypothesis (MIT Press, 2014), Who Do You Want Your Customers to Become? (Harvard Business Review Press, 2012), and Serious Play (Harvard Business Review Press, 2000). His latest book, Recommendation Engines, was published in September 2020 by MIT Press as part of its Essential Knowledge series. He's done consulting and advisory work for Microsoft, Procter & Gamble, British Telecom, BP, Siemens, Embraer, Google, iRise, the Office of Net Assessment, and other organizations
Schrage has run design workshops and executive education programs on innovation, experimentation, and strategic measurement for organizations all over the world and is currently pioneering work in selvesware technologies designed to augment aspects, attributes, and talents of productive individuals. He is particularly interested in the future co-evolution of expertise, advice, and human agency as technologies become smarter than the people using them.
Tom Read became the Chief Executive Officer of the Government Digital Service (GDS) in February 2021. Tom joined GDS from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) where he was Chief Digital and Information Officer. While at MOJ he spearheaded reforms to modernise technology used across prisons and the legal aid service.
Tom is a digital technologist by background with experience across a range of industries including banking, media, and consulting. Tom was Head of Applications at the Guardian Media Group from 2008 before joining HMG as Cabinet Office Chief Technology Officer in 2013.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) leads the Government Digital Service, delivering services for users and government including GOV.UK, Digital Identity and Government as a Platform. The CEO is also a member of the Cabinet Office’s Executive Committee.
As managing director for research and networks strategy, Professor Tim Whitley is accountable for all of BT’s global research activities and driving the strategic agenda.
He is also managing director for Adastral Park, the HQ of BT’s global research and engineering, and home to one of the largest technology clusters in the UK.
Tim joined BT as an apprentice engineer and during his 40-year career has held many positions, ranging from advanced optical-fiber research to technology consultancy, technical architecture, and corporate strategy.
He is a BT distinguished engineer, BT William Pitt Fellow at Pembroke College Cambridge, a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering & Technology, and a Fellow of the ITP (formerly The Institute of Telecommunications Professionals). Tim is also a visiting professor with the Computer Science and Electrical Engineering department at Essex University and serves on the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the body responsible for funding science and engineering in UK universities.
Dr. Anuradha Annaswamy received her PhD in electrical engineering from Yale University in 1985. She has been a member of the faculty at Yale, Boston University, and MIT, where she is currently the director of the Active-Adaptive Control Laboratory and a senior research scientist in the department of mechanical engineering. Her research interests pertain to adaptive control theory and applications to aerospace, automotive, and propulsion systems; cyber physical systems science; and CPS applications to Smart Grids, Smart Cities, and Smart Infrastructures. She is the author of a hundred journal publications and numerous conference publications, co-author of a graduate textbook on adaptive control (2004), co-editor of several reports including “Systems & Control for the future of humanity, research agenda: Current and future roles, impact and grand challenges,” (Elsevier) “IEEE Vision for Smart Grid Control: 2030 and Beyond,” (IEEE Xplore) and Impact of Control Technology, (ieeecss.org/main/IoCT-report, ieeecss.org/general/IoCT2-report).
Dr. Annaswamy has received several awards including the George Axelby and Control Systems Magazine best paper awards from the IEEE Control Systems Society (CSS), the Presidential Young Investigator award from NSF, the Hans Fisher Senior Fellowship from the Institute for Advanced Study at the Technische Universität München, the Donald Groen Julius Prize from the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, a Distinguished Member Award, and a Distinguished Lecturer Award from IEEE CSS. Dr. Annaswamy is a Fellow of the IEEE and IFAC. She has served as the Vice President for Conference Activities (2014-15), and is currently serving as the VP for Technical Activities (2017-18) in the Executive Committee of the IEEE CSS.
Dr. Sili Deng joined MIT's Department of Mechanical Engineering as an assistant professor in January 2019. She received her bachelor’s degree in Thermal Engineering from Tsinghua University in 2010 and her master’s and doctoral degrees in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Princeton University in 2012 and 2016, respectively. From 2016 to 2018, Dr. Deng was a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University. Dr. Deng received the Princeton Energy and Climate Scholarship in 2013 and the Gordon Wu Prize for Excellence in 2014, both from Princeton University. She also received the Excellence in Teaching Award in 2014 from Princeton University and was one of the five recipients of the Bernard Lewis Fellowship at the biennial International Symposium on Combustion in 2016. She was appointed to the d'Arbeloff Career Development Chair in 2019 and the Class of 1954 Career Development Chair in 2022.
Eric Koenig is the Schneider Electric Strategy Vice President for Energies and Chemicals Segment. He holds master's degrees in Automation and Business Administration from the INPL University in Nancy, France. After developing an IT/OT startup, he joined Schneider Electric in 1989, gathering broad industrial automation and energy systems experience.
He is involved in several strategic moves and in developing Decarbonization and Sustainability roadmaps for Energies and Chemicals
With more than 30 years of professional experience in Strategy, Marketing, and Business Development; he is driving Schneider Electric Energies and Chemicals segment strategy at global level, while helping customers in their digital transformation and energy transition.
Anuradha Annaswamy will explore digital transformation and decision-making tools toward 100% renewable energy and electrification of everything.
Sili Deng will explore the future of energy through interdisciplinary combustion research, AI-driven modeling, and sustainable materials synthesis, innovating to tackle environmental challenges and drive sustainable development.
Eric Koenig will discuss how digital solutions are major enablers and often the core of the decarbonization and energy transition effort. From proper measurement (you can’t improve what you don’t measure) to optimization of design, operations, and supply chains, Digital Transformation enables efficiency and sustainability.
Marie-Teresa manages the relationship between companies and other organizations headquartered in the US, UK and Iceland, and the senior administration and faculty of MIT. As Program Director for Corporate Relations, Marie-Teresa convenes teams of researchers and faculty members to provide ongoing emerging technology intelligence and strategic advice to the companies and government groups in her portfolio. She is noted for organizing networking activities across portfolios of ILP member companies.
Marie-Teresa has also worked at GE, Arthur D. Little, Millipore and as an independent consultant and writer. She earned two degrees in Materials Science & Engineering- a BS from Cornell University and an MS from Northwestern University.
George leads Product & Partnerships at Gradient. He brings over 20 years of product management and engineering experience from the networking, processor, and semiconductor markets. He held senior executive and marketing positions at Qualtre, Bluespec, and others where he led product teams, and engineering positions at LSI Logic and IBM, where he developed microprocessors and operating system software. He has a BSEE and MSEE in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University and an MBA from Harvard University.
Prior to co-founding TrustPoint, Patrick Shannon was the Vice President of Business Development and Operations at Astro Digital, where he was responsible for strategy formulation, business development, and product management. During his tenure at Astro Digital, he also directly led five satellite programs including the Palisade and Mandrake-2 programs. Before that, Mr. Shannon was VP of Business Development at SpaceQuest, where he drove company strategy and oversaw all contract and internal R&D program execution. He got his start as a satellite systems engineer at Orbital Sciences, later transferring to their Corporate Strategy group supporting M&A and government relations. Mr. Shannon has spent over 12 years studying and developing commercial service solutions for historically DoD-operated systems and capabilities and holds degrees from MIT and Stanford University.
Ali Merchant is the founder and CEO of iQ3Connect. He brings 20+ years of experience in developing 3D design and simulation software in the aerospace industry to the iQ3Connect team. Software tools and methods he has developed are used in the aerospace industry and university education.
Marchant holds a Masters and Ph.D. from the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Katie is the Founder and CEO of Claira, a competency analytics platform helping companies understand their workforce and hire better. Before starting Claira, Katie spent 10 years in global workforce development, where it became clear that customers and the market were ready for a more precise, inclusive future of work. Katie regularly speaks and writes on a variety of topics including diversity hiring, ai ethics, and automation impact on the workforce.
Previously, Katie worked for the United States Attorney’s Office, Department of Justice, Executive Office of the President, The White House and the State of Michigan. She holds an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management and an MPA from the University of Michigan, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and a BA in Political Science from Hope College. She also played and coached volleyball for 20 years.
Dr. Guy Bunker supports UK business development Kinnami Software Corp. He is also an advisor and early investor in the company and has worked with the team on both engineering and marketing aspects of their solution since the company was founded.
Previously Guy held executive and senior engineering roles with companies including Clearswift, HP, Symantec, Veritas, and Oracle. Guy is a frequently invited speaker at security conferences and has made many appearances in the media.
Guy currently works with several small businesses and advises a number of PE companies in both the UK and USA. He has published multiple books, holds a number of patents and is a Chartered Engineer with the IET.
Jordan is the CEO and Founder of Mobilus Labs. As an Inventor, Engineer, and Entrepreneur, he has focused his career on developing intelligent systems to operate in extreme environments. His experience in this field includes working with MIT and Lockheed Martin and Co-Directing the NASA Frontier Development Lab. He’s a member of the Royal Academy of Engineers, a former TEDx speaker, and enjoys working with underrepresented youth in STEM fields. Jordan received his degrees from MIT and Stanford University in Aeronautical / Astronautical Engineering, focusing on Ocean and Space Robotics.
Lisa is director of Adastral Park and Research realisation in BT’s Technology unit. She is accountable for two research themes, one on IoT, another on TV, Content and Comms. She drives down-streaming and showcasing innovation across all research themes and is responsible for key partnerships with world leading universities. She actively promotes and drives the digital literacy agenda, working with schools and encouraging children and teachers to develop a love of technology. Lisa runs the Adastral Park campus, including all elements of Innovation Martlesham (150+ companies) and is working on an exciting transformation agenda for the site.
Lisa has a proven track record of delivering high value and complex programmes. She combines a technical background and significant experience of leading large teams, to deliver cutting edge technology change.
Lisa has a natural facilitative leadership style. She engages people in her strategy and strives for continuous improvement, using strong coaching and people skills to get the best from those that she leads.
Lisa has experience of both network and IT technologies, driving the delivery of the Superfast Broadband programmes and also transforming business through IT change.
James Lee Burgess is a RIBA Architect with over 20 years of experience. He is also a full member of the Association of Project Managers (MAPM), Unity Software Developer, Digital Poverty Ambassador, and a Fellow of the Royal Association of Arts, Manufacturers, and Commerce.
His passion for collaboration, sustainability, and technology led him to establish Urban XR (formerly XLwerks) in April of 2019 as a response to the quickly changing landscape of design and tech with its potential for revolutionizing the way that urban design and placemaking is created, communicated and delivered.
Chang Lui is the CEO and Chief Designer of Extend Robotics. He is also a research associate at Imperial College London and the University of Southampton.
Lauren Kahn specializes in supporting inclusive digital economies and societies and harnessing tech to deliver on Sustainable Development Goals.
Lauren is currently the Director of Responsible Tech & Human Rights at BT. She also led BT’s global work to build better digital lives and tackle climate change. Previously, Lauren held roles in UK Government, serving as a Deputy Director and Head of Digital Policy & Programs at the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (formerly DFID), and as Head of Digital Inclusion Strategy at Government Digital Service (GDS), based in the Cabinet Office.
Prior to this, Lauren worked in academia, think tank, and consultancy settings to develop innovative solutions to complex global challenges - through user-centered insights, new technologies and multi-stakeholder partnerships. She has held Board positions at the UN Foundation-hosted Digital Impact Alliance, FutureDotNow and Global Network Initiative. She has served as a member of the WEF Internet for All Global Steering Group and WEF Global Future Council on Global Public Goods in the 4th Industrial Revolution. She graduated from the University of Cape Town with a Master of Social Science in Psychology.
Rupert McNeil is Chair of Storm Energia Inc and of Optimal Organisational Outcomes LLP (3XO). He was previously the UK’s Government Chief People Officer (2016 to 2022), and prior to that, Group HR Director of Lloyds Banking Group and held senior HR roles at Aviva and Barclays. Starting his career at the CBI in 1989, he joined Arthur Andersen in 1995, becoming a Partner in 2001 and joining Deloitte as a Partner in 2002. He is Chair of the People Committee of the Haberdashers’ Academies Trust South and a member of the Chartered Management Institute’s Board of Companions. He is a Companion of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD) and is a Fellow of CIMA, and a Chartered Global Management Accountant.
George Westerman is a Senior Lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management and a Principal Research Scientist, J-WEL Workforce Learning. George works at the dynamic intersection of executive leadership and technology strategy. For over 17 years with MIT Sloan School of Management, he has written three award-winning books, including Leading Digital: Turning Technology Into Business Transformation. As a pioneering researcher on digital transformation, George has published papers in Harvard Business Review, Sloan Management Review, and other top journals. He is now focused on helping employers, educators, and other groups to rethink the process of workforce learning around the world.
George is co-chair of the MIT Sloan CIO Leadership Awards, a member of the Digital Strategy Roundtable for the US Library of Congress, and faculty director for two executive courses at MIT Sloan. He works frequently with senior management teams and industry groups around the world. Prior to earning a Doctorate from Harvard Business School, he gained more than 13 years of experience in product development and technology leadership roles.
Detlef leads a program spanning the work of 30 international researchers who develop capabilities underpinning modern Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems. A key part of the work is to establish best practices in data science and machine learning for conducting data analytics professionally and responsibly, leading to new ways of analyzing data to achieve better insights.
Detlef trained as a computer scientist and holds a PhD and a Postdoctoral Degree (Habilitation) in Machine Learning and Data Analytics. He is a Visiting Professor at Bournemouth University and a Private Docent at the Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg, Germany.
Detlef has published three books, over 120 papers, holds nine patents and has 30 active patent applications.