Dr Ali Kashif Bashir

Professor of Computer Networks and Cybersecurity, Manchester Metropolitan University

Dr Ali Kashif Bashir is a Professor of Computer Networks and Cybersecurity at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. He is the director of SISTEMS: Secure and Intelligence Research Group, and Head of Future Networks Lab. He completed his PhD from Korea University (QS Rank: 79), South Korea in 2012. He has worked on world-leading projects such as ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor),  and proposed a pioneering cloud architecture along with Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT), Japan.

His students have won best paper awards, best PhD thesis awards, and several other recognitions. Throughout his career, Ali has delivered more than 100 keynote speeches, chaired 60+ conferences and workshops, published over 450 technology-leading articles , obtained millions of pounds of funding, and contributed to several industrial products.  Ali enjoys honorary and adjunct roles with universities in Canada, the US, China, the Middle East, Pakistan, and India. He has been an external examiner for 60 PhD thesis for world-leading universities of UK, Australia, the US, etc. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (2024), a senior member of IEEE, and received the Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher Award in 2023 and 2024. He was listed as an IEEE Featured Author in 2021. He is EIC of IEEE Technology, Policy and Ethics, Deputy EIC of IEEE Transactions on Consumer Electronics Letters, and Advisory Committee Member of IEEE Transactions on Consumer Electronics, and AE of several reputed journals, such as IEEE Transactions on Network Science and Engineering.

Professor Yonghong Peng

Professor of Artificial Intelligence, Deputy Dean for Research and Innovation of Faculty of Science and Engineering, Anglia Ruskin University

Professor Yonghong Peng is Professor of Artificial Intelligence at Anglia Ruskin University. He pioneers research in AI, machine learning, and data science with a focus on algorithmic explainability, transparency, and model safety. His work aims to advance human-centred and trustworthy AI by addressing fundamental challenges in the development of intelligent agents as human thought partners (CoAI), as well as to address the sustainability issues of the large fundamental models particularly focusing on developing energy-efficient machine learning models (small and smart AI models).

Prior to joining ARU in June 2024, Professor Peng was Professor of AI and Director of the University Centre for Advanced Computational Science known (CfACS) at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU). There, he led interdisciplinary AI innovation, and national-level engagements including MMU’s membership in the Turing University Network and a UK government-commissioned review on AI cyber risks for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) .

Professor Peng’s research spans both technological advancement and real-world application. He is developing a new paradigm, Human-AI Cooperative (CoAI) Architectures, to bridge the gap between human context and machine intelligence to enable collaborative intelligence.  

He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Member of IEEE, was the Chair of the IEEE Big Data Task Force between 2014 and 2022. He serves on the editorial boards of IEEE Access, PeerJ, and MDPI Bioengineering. He also holds visiting positions with NHS trusts, Public Health England, and several international institutions.

Alan Ball

Asset Management Technical Lead for Water, Land, and Biodiversity, Environment Agency

Alan Ball is the Asset Management Technical Lead at the Environment Agency, where he has worked for almost 22 years. Starting his career in the field, Alan worked his way up and became a key figure in the rollout of new technology and asset management systems to operational teams, including the development and ongoing support of AIMS:OM. As a long-time super user, he continues to bridge the gap between technology and field operations. Outside of work, Alan has a strong passion for technology and AI, using it extensively for personal projects and innovation.

David Marsh MBCI

Head of Risk & Resilience, Manchester Metropolitan University

Head of Risk & Resilience | Professional Services - IT & Digital | Manchester Metropolitan University. Leader of the BCI Northwest Chapter, CBCI MBCI MEPS FRSA CF.

Sarah Legname

Sarah is an advisor in organisational resilience with a strong focus on business continuity and a deep commitment to protecting the environment, people, and the communities the Environment Agency serves. With seven years in the organisation, she brings a passion for connecting people and ideas to strengthen resilience across sectors. As part of Business Continuity Awareness Week, Sarah partnered with the Business Continuity Institute to bring this podcast event to life. While not an AI expert, she is proud to host today’s conversation and spotlight the insights of our expert panel.

Steve Wilson

Security Advisor, Defra Group Security

Lead Security Advisor for Defra Group. Responsible for IT Policy, Governance and Assurance. Working closely with the Defra in-house cyber Security Operations Centre (SOC) to ensure Defra remain secure  and resilient to all forms of Cyber Attack and basic IT security hygiene.  Starting with a small Defra ALB in 2007, in general IT, with spells in Architecture and Incident management I now lead a small team of dedicated security professional dealing with supply chain, project and operational assurance matters working Defend as One, Secure by Design and building secure and resilient systems.

Jo Price

Deputy Director, Corporate Management, Assurance and Security, Environment Agency

Jo Price is an experienced senior leader with over 23 years at the Environment Agency, where she has held various corporate and national leadership roles. As Deputy Director of Corporate Management, Assurance, and Security, she plays a vital role in enhancing organisational resilience, security, and strategic corporate management assurance across the agency.