Jonathan Chambers BEng, PhD

How does a particle physicist end up shaping the UK Government’s approach to artificial intelligence? In this thought‑provoking episode, I spoke with Dr. Laura Gilbert CBE, former Director of Data Science at 10 Downing Street and now the Senior Director of AI at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. Laura’s unique career path, from academic research in physics to the heart of policymaking, gives her a rare perspective on how governments can use emerging technologies such as AI not just efficiently, but humanely. She shares candid insights into how policy teams think about digital transformation, why the public sector faces very different challenges to private industry, and how to avoid technology that dehumanises decision‑making. This conversation is for anyone interested in the intersection of science, policy, ethics, and technology, and how they can be combined to make government more responsive, transparent, and human-centred. Listen to the episode via https://podc.st/s7e6 or search for “digitally curious” wherever you get your podcasts. What you’ll learn in this episode: 1️⃣ How Laura moved from particle physics research into government AI leadership 2️⃣ The strategic role of AI in shaping modern policy and public services 3️⃣ Why forecasting in AI is harder than it looks, and how this impacts decision‑makers 4️⃣ The balance between technical capability and human‑centred governance 5️⃣ Why governments must look beyond the tech giants for innovative solutions Some great quotes from the episode included: ❝ The temptation in government is to go for the big, flashy AI project. But the smarter move is starting small. Find the painful friction points, fix them in two weeks, and prove the value. That’s how you get trust, buy‑in, and real change. ❝ Radical transparency changes behaviour. We open‑source code where possible, publish our methods, and explain in plain English how AI decisions are made, so citizens and Parliament can see exactly what’s going on. ❝ Citizens don’t experience policy; they experience services. AI should make those journeys faster, clearer, and fairer — not more complicated. That means plain‑English decisions, fewer forms, and help that gets to people before they have to chase us. Laura and I met after I delivered a keynote at the Dell Technologies Executive Networking Forum - thanks again, Steve Young. My theme of Digital Curiosity matched her curiosity, making it a perfect fit for a podcast. She will be joining me later next month at The Roof Gardens in the next instalment of my series on AI for club members and guests. #AI #government #policy #AIforGood #DigitallyCurious #StayCurious #Podcast #AIEthics #Ethics

71

5 Comments

"Networking is key" when looking to build a deep tech start-up Reflections from the latest cohort of scientists and engineers thinking about spinning out from the lab on the Innovate UK ICURe programme: ▪️Integrity is important ▪️Don’t be afraid to start ▪️Showing you care matters ▪️Welcome critical feedback ▪️Focus on the biggest pains (£££) ▪️People will use imperfect prototypes ▪️Understanding and protecting your IP ▪️Customer discovery: ask open questions ▪️Validating solutions after proving demand ▪️Asking for help is easier than you might think ▪️Focus on customer needs (listening, empathy) ▪️Tailoring USP to specific customers and language ▪️Measure what matters. Industries have key metrics ▪️Communication style can be different in different industries ▪️A pitch that makes someone want to know more is a good pitch ▪️Analysis: quantitative (market sizing), and qualitative (issues in industries) ▪️The business model canvas can help capture understanding as it develops ▪️Numbers reinforce decision making around industry and customers to target ▪️Can be hard to find market numbers and size things (LLMs can sometimes help) Huge thanks to all who helped make this fusion focussed cohort happen sponsored by UK Atomic Energy Authority especially Katharine B. and team from South West Growth Service Limited and Stefano Borini And of course, please reach out if you are… ▪️ an early stage deep tech investor curious about what we’re spinning out from the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) ▪️ an investor (any stage) curious about fusion and adjacent dealflow beyond UKAEA (Fusion Investors Network) ▪️ building around fusion or adjacent tech and a chat or mentoring session could be useful ▪️building around defence, security or energy across NATO and you’d find being on the Pivot Labs slack for dual use founders & investors a useful network to access ▪️an experienced deep tech founder where you’d like to pay it forward to the next generation as a guest speaker or mentor

50

5 Comments

UK's Smart Quantum Play: A Lesson in Investment Strategy? The UK is once again showing its strategic prowess in the quantum race. Its new £121M investment isn't just funding; it's targeted policy, pairing industry giants like HSBC with national labs to fast-track real-world applications like fraud detection. This approach is why the UK excels at turning research into startups and attracting private capital. This stands in stark contrast to the situation in Germany. While Germany has committed public funds (€2 billion) to quantum R&D, it's facing a crucial challenge: ⛰️ Turning that research leadership into commercial success! ⛰️We need fast paced procurement programs, low administrative effort and very fast decision and evaluation - according to the technologies progress! ⛰️ Funding from one source / entity / ministry with a streamlined strategy! Lets build a German Quantum Future! Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung Bundesdruckerei-Gruppe Bundesministerium für Digitales und Staatsmodernisierung Bundesministerium des Innern Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) SPRIND - Bundesagentur für Sprunginnovationen National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) #QuantumComputing #UKInnovation #BMBFTR #TechInvestment #Germany #DigitalStrategy #Finance #NQCC What do you think is Germany's smart way towards quantum technologies?

29

1 Comment