Tech Futures 'AI Strategy Lab' exploring digital roadmapping in an AI Age. By Hard Numbers, Howden, Pale Blue Hat & Friends.

Join us in heart of London's Square Mile for 'Tech Futures - AI Strategy Lab'.

A morning of expert briefings and interactive sessions preparing forward-thinking businesses to be future-ready in the artificial intelligence (AI) age.

💧 Time 0900-1330 Thursday 01 October 2026

💧 Place Howden, One Creechurch Place, London EC3A 5AF

💧 Programme scroll down

💧 Tickets Limited spaces. £90 + Eventbrite fee.

We'll explore :

💧the strategy gap and help you create (or refresh) your Digital Roadmap

💧how you as business leaders navigate and engage with AI, emerging technology & cyber issues

💧insights and actionable take-aways for you to take back to your business and sector

Who Should Attend?

Movers, Shakers, Rising stars from manufacturing, construction, creative, finance, life sciences, professional, tech, etc

💧Directors 💧Founders 💧Ops Directors/Managers 💧Marketing/PR Leads

💧Sales Directors 💧IT Heads

Benefits

💧You'll gain an understanding of AI (context, current applications, future insights)

💧You'll catch a glimpse of the future enabling your business to anticipate technology advancements, emerging trends, disruptors and practical applications

💧You'll leave with an understanding of strategies and practical tips for accelerating AI-driven growth, adoption and use of emerging technologies in the workplace.

💧 You'll share insights and experiences with industry leaders, innovators and experts and gain inspiration and tips for navigating and charting the right path for your business and team.

💧You'll gain a fresh perspective and identify some common challenges, break out of silo-thinking and who knows... you might come up with your next 'big idea'!

PROGRAMME

Technology is changing at pace. Artificial Intelligence, data-integrity and cyber security are hot topics right now, but where are the opportunities and what are the implications for business? How does business navigate and stay ahead of the agenda? How do you make complex decisions (including investment plans) and how do you ensure maximum benefit and return on investment?

0900 Arrivals & Refreshments

0930 Lab opens. Shape of Morning (Mo Humphries, Futurist)

(Lab Moderator - Darryl Sparey, MD, Hard Numbers)

0935 Welcome by our Hosts Howden (Christina Leo, Executive Director, Head of Cyber - UK, Howden)

LIGHTNING TALKS + INTERACTIVE SESSIONS

0945 Scene Setting: The Power Lies with You - Citizen Coding, Insights & Trends Lilia Christofi (Partner | EMEA FS Data, AI and Tech Leader, PwC UK)

Interactive - Icebreaker

Hot Button Issues - Risks & Opportunities

1005 The legal landscape Éamon Chawke (Partner), Briffa Solicitors

1015 AI & cyber scenarios Danielle Kinsella (Technical Advisor), Gigamon

1025 Own your AI reputation or someone else will Paul Stollery (Creative Director), Hard Numbers

1035 Interactive - Impact Mapping

1100 COFFEE & NETWORKING

Strategic Roadmapping

1130 Planning, investment decisions and the returns Ed Crane (CEO) and Mark Jow (Technology & Strategy Advisor), phoenix47

1140 Learnings from an AI augmented business James Hilditch Founder & Creative Director), BearJam

1150 Interactive - Strategic Roadmapping, Actions & Takeaways

1245 LUNCH

1330 Close

Lab Partners

Hard Numbers - Thanks to Claire Simpson, Darryl Sparey and Geraldine Fernandez for supporting the Lab and helping shape an amazing programme!

Howden - We are grateful to the brilliant Cyber Team at Howden (Amita Virdi, Christina Leo, Naomi Cresswell and Rebecca Bridgland) for hosting us at their stunning offices.

Pale Blue Hat - We're delighted to bring the 'Tech Futures' AI Strategy Lab to the City! The happening place and heart of London's world renown business district! We're delighted to collaborate with such forward-thinking businesses and are grateful for their expertise in helping shape and bring the Lab to life!

Image | Gherkin & Robot by Mo. Design by Holly Monger, Hard Numbers. Tech Futures Font is Astron.

Small Print | Guest list will be shared with speakers and team ahead of event for organisation purposes. Informal photos will be taken on day. If you do not want to feature in photos please let organiser know. The organiser reserves the right to adapt and change the programme.

In-house Labs

Pale Blue Hat is also offering in-house Labs bringing together cross-department teams to help shape your strategy, governance and policy frameworks. If this is an option you'd like to explore drop me a DM here on Eventbrite or DM me (Mo Humphries) on LinkedIn.

Image | Taken at AI Lab on the south coast

Description supplied by the event organiser.