Hampshire AI Launch Event Highlights

As an IT recruitment agency, we’ve observed the increasing application of AI in businesses and the rising demand for specialised talent in this field. AI developments have been at the forefront of discussions in our network of clients and candidates. To support this growing interest, we wanted to create a space that fosters cross-industry collaboration and innovation, and on Tuesday 28^th January 2025, over 80 attendees gathered at the Axis Centre, University of Southampton Science Park, for our inaugural Hampshire AI launch event.

The evening was highly engaging, featuring two thought-provoking speakers, Mark Edmondson of Kortext and Andy Standford-Clark of IBM, who explored the transformative role AI plays in education and autonomous technologies. The event provided valuable opportunities to network and engage in discussions on AI advancements. The atmosphere was inspiring and professionals from a diverse range of industries - tech, data, healthcare, education, and law, and more – came together to connect and share ideas. 

Mark Edmondson: AI Innovations That Help Students Fulfil Their Potential

The first speaker, Mark Edmondson, CEO of Kortext, shared his vision of using AI to revolutionise student learning experiences. With more than 3 million students in over 7,000 institutions worldwide relying on Kortext’s platform, Mark highlighted how their digital ecosystem supports a wide array of e-books, academic content, and learning tools for students and educators alike.

The learning platform is designed to cater to the growing demands of students who expect flexible, accessible learning options. In response to pressures from COVID-19 and the evolving educational landscape, their tool allows students to interact with course materials in new ways—whether by uploading their own notes, engaging in collaborative study, or accessing real-time AI-powered feedback. The platform also includes AI-driven features like summarisation, language translation, and analytics to support personalised learning journeys.

Mark addressed some of the resistance AI in education faces, including concerns about “dumbing down” or replacing traditional learning methods. He compared this to the initial reluctance to embrace technologies like calculators or word processors in schools. According to Mark, we’re entering the next phase of AI evolution in education, and it’s time for the industry to adapt quickly to meet student needs. AI’s ability to help predict student success and detect signs of disengagement offers significant benefits in improving retention and learning outcomes.

“We are now entering into the next phase of AI evolution.”  
Mark Edmondson, Kortext

Andy Standford-Clark: Mayflower Autonomous Ship – The Future of Autonomous Marine Exploration

Andy Standford-Clark, a distinguished engineer at IBM, brought a fascinating and innovative twist to the evening by discussing his work on the Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS). Inspired by the original Mayflower ship that crossed the Atlantic in 1620, the new iteration was designed to make the first unmanned journey across the ocean for marine research. MAS is the first of its kind - a fully autonomous vessel that can gather valuable data on ocean pollution, microplastics, and other environmental factors.

Andy shared the development and technology behind MAS. The ship is powered by a biodiesel generator and solar panels and is equipped with advanced AI systems to navigate the vast ocean. It uses deep-learning image identification, trained on over 1 million images, to recognise and avoid obstacles, and it employs AI-powered decision-making processes based on data fusion, combining inputs from cameras, radar, and AIS (Automatic Identification Systems). The vessel operates with varying levels of autonomy, from remote control to full autonomy, where human validation is not required.

“With an autonomous ship, you are at the complete mercy of a single point of failure.” 
Andy Standford-Clark, IBM

Andy recounted some of the challenges faced during the ship’s journey, including technical issues that arose during its launch, highlighting the importance of having contingency plans in place for such innovations. The ship’s data is now available for researchers and continues to push the boundaries of ocean research and autonomous technology and the vessel is currently part of the Twilight Zone Project at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) in Massachusetts, where it is helping to catalogue marine life.

Looking ahead, Andy believes that autonomous ships could greatly improve the shipping industry by reducing human error and enhancing safety. While he envisions a future with fewer crew members on ships, he also emphasised that some human presence may still be necessary, such as having a mechanic onboard to address unforeseen issues.

“A great event with a diverse mix of people both speaking and in the audience.”  
Attendee Feedback

Event Takeaways and Looking Ahead

The Hampshire AI Launch Event not only highlighted the potential of AI to revolutionise education but also showcased how it can be used to innovate industries like marine research. Both speakers demonstrated how AI can help solve problems and advance evolving industries, enhancing user experiences and gathering critical data for environmental research.

As AI continues to evolve further, its applications in education, business, and technology will only expand. The event was a reminder of how AI is no longer just a buzzword - it’s a powerful tool that’s changing the way we learn, work, and interact with the world around us.

"Our vision is to establish a central hub for AI and technology in the region - a dynamic space where thought leaders and business professionals can collaborate, exchange ideas, and inspire one another." Ian Cruickshank, Managing Director of Spectrum IT Recruitment

If you would like to become a part of the conversation, join our Hampshire AI LinkedIn group and we hope to see you at our next AI discussion on April 15^th.

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