The School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science at Queen Mary University London recently hosted AI Horizons: Honouring Our Journey, Forging the Future, an event dedicated to exploring the transformative power of diverse perspectives in Artificial Intelligence.
Celebrating achievements and partnerships
The event highlighted the impact of Queen Mary’s collaborations, including its work with Google DeepMind. Students shared their transformative experiences, reflecting on how the collaboration has supported their growth and advanced diversity in AI research and Dr. Rebecca McKelvey, Education Partnerships Lead, took part in our panel discussion on diversity in AI and breaking barriers. The panel also included Steve Uhlig, Head of EECS, Sue Attewell from Jisc, Dr Kay Hack from Advance HE and Queen Mary alumni, Naman Tapasvi from The Commonwealth.
Insights from Lord Tim Clement-Jones
Lord Tim Clement-Jones, Chair of Queen Mary’s Council, delivered an inspiring keynote. He emphasised the necessity of a societal dialogue on the future role of AI and the urgency of developing appropriate regulations. His address resonated with the event's core themes of ethical innovation and inclusivity.
Future collaboration and industry dialogue
The day’s discussions also looked forward, with the roundtable ‘What’s Next for AI Education?’ fostering collaboration between cross-disciplinary students, with diverse expertise and industry leaders. This dynamic exchange explored new opportunities for joint research and innovative teaching methods, envisioning a future where AI education surpasses today’s boundaries.
Introducing the Centre for Excellence in AI in Education
Dr. Aisha Abuelmaatti, Deputy Academic Head of the Centre, introduced the university’s ambitious goals. Based in the Queen Mary Academy, the Centre aims to blend groundbreaking AI research with innovative teaching, fostering AI literacy and preparing students for a rapidly evolving landscape.
A catalyst for the future
The event served as a celebration of past achievements and a platform for shaping the future. By fostering inclusivity, recognising contributions like those of Google DeepMind, and initiating new collaborations, Queen Mary solidified its position as a leader in AI education.
Find out more about the Centre here.