Business
How will AI change the way organisations operate and compete?
Official programme event
Event recap · MK Tech Week 2026
The Great
AI Debate
AI, Opportunity, Threat or Both?
Real perspectives. Different opinions. One important conversation about the future of artificial intelligence.
- Friday 16 October 2026
- 1:00pm to 5:00pm
- DigiTEC Bletchley Campus
- Milton Keynes
Thank you for joining us
Presented by
In collaboration with
Pink Mondo is a creative communications platform spanning PR, media, talent and events, with a focus on authentic storytelling, emerging talent and creative culture.
Venue partner
Part of Milton Keynes Tech Week 2026.
Event recap
A debate where the whole room got a vote.
While the panel argued on stage, people in the room scanned a code, joined on their phones, and voted, asked questions and reacted live. The results appeared on the giant screen as they happened.
The whole thing ran on a platform we built ourselves, with the same AI tools we teach.
243
joined on their phones
6
live rounds
56%
were scared about their jobs
The Great AI DebateAI, Opportunity, Threat or Both?
AI, Opportunity, Threat or Both?
Welcome to
The Great
AI Debate
Your questions. Your votes. Your voice.
Scan to join
Ask questions, vote and support the views you agree with.
No app download required
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Keep this page open during the debate.
A re-creation of what the room saw, using the real results. Hover to pause.
Event highlights
Missed it? Watch the highlights
Real people, different opinions and one big question: AI, opportunity, threat or both? Here is a look at the afternoon in Milton Keynes.
The Great AI Debate: Milton Keynes 2026 film
- Friday 16 October 2026
- DigiTEC Bletchley Campus
- Live panel, live Q&A
The format
Six rounds. One big question each.
1
AI, Business & The Economy
How will AI change the way organisations operate and compete?
2
Jobs & The Future of Work
Will AI create more jobs than it replaces?
3
Education & Young People
How should schools, colleges and universities respond to AI?
4
Creativity, Media & Truth
What happens when machines create images, video, music and words?
5
Ethics, Regulation & Control
Where should we draw the line, and who should decide?
6
Where Does This End?
How far could this go, and what comes next?
The vote
What the room said
Round 1 · voted live on phones
Are we scared about losing our jobs?
Yes56%
No44%
39 votes
The questions
Asked by the audience
Is AI aware of itself?
Round 1
Why should AI be used to create artworks when it has been and still is trained on millions of artists’ work without their consent?
Round 4
How do you incentivise students to learn challenging or boring subjects rather than avoid the discomfort by using AI.
Round 3
Will Ai bring more security risk for businesses (small and large) that adopt them, but slack behind in training their staffs in the safe and proper use of AI tools.
Round 1
When AI does make jobs easier, won’t the implementation of it create an issue of lower salaries due to the lack of skilled workers being needed in most jobs.
Round 2
To the mayor: how will you figure out universal basic and high income?
Round 1
Written by people in the room, approved by our moderators and shown anonymously.
The room
The day in pictures
Arrivals, conversations and a packed room at DigiTEC Bletchley Campus. Tap any photo to see it full size.
23 photos
Behind the scenes
Built by us. Run live on the night.
The audience app, the giant screen and the moderator control centre are all one platform that we built with the same AI tools we teach. This is what it does.
Join in seconds
Scan a code on the big screen and you are in. No app to download.
Live polls
Yes or no, agree or disagree, or a score out of ten. Run before and after a round to see if minds change.
Questions from the room
Anyone can ask. Our moderators approve every question before it reaches the screen.
A giant screen that reacts
Rounds, polls, questions and results appear on the big screen the moment they change.
One control centre
Rounds, polls, reactions and the screen itself are all run from a single moderator view.
Clocks and cues
A debate clock, round timers and sound cues keep a live room on time.
Want a live, interactive debate or panel at your own event? Host or sponsor a future Great AI Debate, or talk to us about running one for your organisation.
Become a partnerAI is changing everything.
But is that a good thing?
Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we work, learn, create, communicate and run businesses.
For some, AI represents one of the greatest opportunities of our generation.
For others, it raises serious questions around jobs, creativity, education, ethics, privacy, regulation and the future of society.
The Great AI Debate brought together people with different experiences, industries and perspectives for an open and thought-provoking discussion about where AI is taking us.
This was not a sales presentation.
It was not designed to tell people what to think.
It was a live debate designed to explore both the opportunities and the concerns surrounding one of the biggest technological shifts of our time.
The agenda
What we debated
Jobs & Employment
Will AI create more jobs than it replaces?
Education
How should schools, colleges and universities respond to AI?
Creativity
What happens when machines can create images, videos, music and written content?
Ethics
Where should we draw the line?
Regulation
Who should control how AI is developed and used?
Technology
How quickly is AI really advancing and what comes next?
Society
How could AI change our everyday lives?
The experience
How it worked
- Live panel discussion
- Multiple perspectives on AI
- Audience questions and participation
- Live Q&A
- Opportunities to challenge the panel
- Practical discussion rather than technical jargon
- Networking with attendees
- Refreshments provided
Whether you are excited by AI, worried about it, already using it every day or still trying to understand what all the fuss is about, the event was designed to give everyone a broader perspective.
The audience
Who it was for
Business ownersDirectors and senior leadersSMEsEntrepreneursTechnology professionalsMarketing and creative professionalsEducatorsStudentsHR and people professionalsPublic sector organisationsCommunity leadersAnyone interested in the future impact of artificial intelligence
You did not need to be an AI expert.
The Great AI Debate was deliberately designed to bring technical and non-technical audiences together.
Hosts and presenters
Meet the hosts
The Great AI Debate was hosted by two creative and media professionals who bring together live event experience, journalism, technology insight and audience engagement.
Co-Host and Presenter
Iago Montgomery-Jarvis
Iago Montgomery-Jarvis is an award-winning actor, filmmaker, writer and event director. He is the founder of the 2 Counties Independent Film Festival and brings live event experience, creative energy and a strong connection to the Milton Keynes creative community.
Co-Host, Journalist and Technology Presenter
Jon Devo
Jon Devo is a journalist, technology presenter, photographer and filmmaker with more than 20 years of experience. He has hosted Spotify’s Shot & Chaser podcast and The Devoted Creatives Podcast, and has contributed to WIRED, T3, TechRadar and Digital Camera World.
The voices
The panel
The people who brought different experiences, industries and perspectives to The Great AI Debate.
Dr. Mahdi Seify
Senior Lecturer in Business Analytics and Project Management
Specialist in AI-enabled business analytics, digital transformation and governance
BusinessEducation
Dr Mahdi Seify is a senior lecturer in business analytics and project management, and a specialist in AI-enabled business analytics. His work applies responsible AI to organisational performance, governance and strategic decision-making.
Dr Ali Al-Sherbaz
Associate Professor
The University of Cambridge
TechnologyEducation
Associate Professor and Academic Director for Digital Skills at Cambridge PACE, leading AI engineering, data science and cybersecurity programmes. Interested in preparing people to use AI critically, responsibly and with confidence.
Martin Leib
Trustee
Samuel's Charity
Charity trustee with more than 20 years in marketing
BusinessMarketing
Martin has led Samuel's Charity for 13 years, alongside more than two decades in marketing. He uses AI in his own organisation and speaks candidly about its limits as well as its value.
Hassan Sherbaz
Head of Technology and Engineering
NuEnergyTek UK Limited
Connects physical systems to the digital world across mining, utilities, automotive and the built environment
TechnologyEngineering
Hassan leads technology and engineering at NuEnergyTek in Bletchley, connecting physical systems to the digital world. He founded his first company during his master's year and has since worked across mining, utilities, automotive and farming.
Kylie Anderson
Co-founder
The Online Edge
More than 25 years in business, specialising in bridging technology and revenue growth
BusinessEntrepreneurship
Kylie is co-founder of The Online Edge, helping service-based businesses turn existing expertise into scalable revenue. She has over 15 years of international deal-making experience and now focuses on bridging technology and revenue growth.
Liam Barry
Co-founder
The Online Edge
Systems engineering background at Dyson, Honda and Rivian
BusinessAI & Automation
Liam helps service businesses use AI, automation and systems thinking to build recurring income without increasing founder workload. He is co-founder of The Online Edge and co-author of Asset Intelligence.
Dylan Ward
Social media coordinator, intern and musician
Media and communications graduate working across politics, advertising and music
Creative IndustriesMedia
Dylan is a creative based in London and Milton Keynes, working across social media, media production and music. He is a media and communications graduate and frontman of the band The 27 Club.
Angela Preece
Consultant
Works For Us
Former IBM consultant, now mentoring and coaching business owners
Employment / HRBusiness
Angela is a consultant at Works For Us, helping people move confidently into better jobs. Her background includes consulting at IBM across banking, telecoms, media and entertainment, plus operational roles in PR and education.
John Brenchley
Founder and Specialist Independent Financial Adviser
Broadshield Solutions
25 years as a senior corporate executive, now an independent financial planner in a regulated sector
BusinessEthics
John is founder of Broadshield Solutions, an independent financial planning firm supporting SEND families, parent-carers and SME owners. After 25 years as a senior corporate executive, he retrained as a financial planner.
Michael Nagles
Founder & SEO Strategist
KickstartSEO
Helping businesses get found online since 1995
MarketingAI Search
Michael helps UK small businesses improve their visibility in search and AI. Founder of KickstartSEO, he brings digital experience dating back to 1995 and a practical, straightforward approach to marketing.
Rebecca Raper
AI and Robot Ethicist
EthicsTechnology
Lecturer, researcher and consultant, specialising in AI, Robot, applied and Machine Ethics. Interests in broader topics such as Cognitive AI, AI and Robot Safety, Responsible Robotics and Sustainability.
Lee Scriven
Content creator
Do what in Mk
Creative Industries
I have worked as content creator for over 20 years
Mark Simpson
Co Founder
slurp
Director of Enterprise Sales
Big tech leader with more than 20 years' experience in the future of work, business automation and go-to-market transformation, helping companies turn emerging technology into scalable growth and operational impact.
Lewis Ellis
Commercial Insurance Broker
Everywhen
Business
Commercial insurance broker at Everywhen, working with businesses across many industries to manage risk. Brings a practical, everyday-user view of how AI is changing business decisions, trust and judgement.
Phil Smith
Owner
The Alternative Board - Milton Keynes
EntrepreneurshipBusiness
Owner of The Alternative Board Milton Keynes and former owner-director in professional audio, co-founder of Sonic Distribution and founder member of the team behind Aston Microphones, acquired by Music Tribe.
Alex Brown
Young Entrepeneur / Youtuber
Alex Brown AI Business Services
BusinessEducation
Started a YouTube channel at 14 and grew it to more than 50,000 subscribers and a full operation. Now provides AI solutions to businesses while exploring a range of personal ventures.
Nazar Bartosik
Nuclear physicist PhD | Strategy & design advisor | Speaker
Special guest at The Great AI Debate.
Steven Dryden-Hall
Backup panellist
Join a future panel
Have something to say about the future of AI?
We are looking for interesting voices and contrasting perspectives to join the next Great AI Debate.
You do not need to be an AI specialist.
We are particularly interested in people who can bring experience, strong opinions, industry knowledge or a different perspective to the conversation.
Whether you believe AI presents extraordinary opportunity, serious risk, or something somewhere in between, we would like to hear from you.
Working together
Event partners
The AI Cyclops
Event host and organiser
The AI Cyclops provides practical AI training, consultancy and implementation, helping businesses and organisations understand and use AI with confidence.
Pink Mondo Media
Delivery and promotion partner
Pink Mondo is a creative communications platform spanning PR, media, talent and events, with a focus on authentic storytelling, emerging talent and creative culture.
DigiTEC
Venue partner
The Digital and Technologies Technical Excellence College supported The Great AI Debate as venue partner.
The venue
DigiTEC Bletchley Campus
The Great AI Debate took place at the DigiTEC Bletchley Campus in Milton Keynes.
DigiTEC Bletchley Campus
Sherwood DriveBletchleyMilton KeynesMK3 6DR- Date
- Friday 16 October 2026
- Time
- 1:00pm to 5:00pm
- Refreshments
- Provided for all attendees
Ready for the next one?
AI will affect all of us.
The question is not whether change is coming.
The question is what we do with it.
Interested in joining a future panel?
Want to host or sponsor a future debate? Become a partner.