On 19 June, techUK and RepresentAI successfully launched the first event in techUK’s new Pride in Innovation series, TechPride: Building Inclusive Innovation, bringing together technology leaders, AI experts, and advocates in London to discuss the role of inclusion in shaping the future of AI and emerging technologies.
Delivered in partnership with RepresentAI, the event explored how greater representation, diversity, and responsible innovation can help create more equitable and trustworthy technologies.
The session was opened by Tess Buckley, Senior Programme Manager for Digital Ethics & AI Safety at techUK, who welcomed attendees and outlined the agenda for the afternoon. Discussions focused on responsible AI, reducing bias in AI systems, security, inclusive innovation, and creating greater opportunities for LGBTQAI+ professionals across the technology sector.
Sarah Rench, Founder of RepresentAI and Global Data & AI Security Lead at Avanade, delivered the keynote presentation, The Magic of AI, Security and Pride in Innovation. Her talk highlighted the contributions of LGBTQ+ pioneers in technology, explored the opportunities and challenges presented by AI, and examined key issues including AI bias, security risks, governance, and responsible AI implementation.
Through practical examples and a live security demonstration, Sarah showcased approaches to securing AI systems and mitigating emerging risks. She also emphasised the importance of AI literacy and upskilling, highlighting RepresentAI’s impact in supporting more than 1,700 women and underrepresented individuals through AI education, certification programmes, and community-building initiatives designed to help people learn, build, and lead in AI. She also announced she was excited about the Pride in London Unity Fund support for RepresentAI Collective’s CIC which helps fund the free exams for people to get certified and the ensure the events are accessible for all.
The keynote was followed by an amazing AI panel discussion, which explored themes of AI, visibility, diversity, security, and responsible innovation. The panel was moderated by Sara Duodu, Quantum & Digital Twins Lead at techUK, and featured:
- Belton Flournoy, Managing Director at Protiviti and founder of Protiviti UK’s LGBT+ network
- Dr Harry Muncey, Senior Director of Data Science, Responsible AI at Elsevier
- Lisa Smith, Senior Partner at Kearney
- James Clarke, Director of Data, People & Culture for Pride in London and Transport for London
- Calle Sandberg, Customer Solutions Manager at AWS
Panellists shared perspectives on the opportunities and challenges organisations face as they or organisations adopt AI technologies, while emphasising the importance of diverse voices, ethical leadership, and inclusive innovation in ensuring AI delivers positive outcomes for society.
The event demonstrated the strong appetite across industry for conversations that bring together AI, security, diversity, and inclusion. It also reinforced the shared commitment of techUK and RepresentAI to fostering ethical innovation, strengthening representation, and helping build a more inclusive UK technology sector.
RepresentAI would like to extend its sincere thanks to everyone who attended the event, to Tess Buckley, Harriet Allen and the wider techUK team for their partnership and support, to the expert panellists for sharing their insights and experiences, and to the RepresentAI team whose dedication helped make the launch event such a success.