Richard Lochhead was appointed Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade in March 2023.He has represented the Moray Constituency in the Scottish Parliament since 2006. Prior to that, Mr Lochhead represented North East Scotland from 1999 to 2006. He attended Williamwood High School in Clarkston and Central College of Commerce in Glasgow, before graduating in Political Studies from the University of Stirling. Immediately prior to his election, he worked as an economic development officer for Dundee City Council. Mr Lochhead previously served as Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment between 2007 and 2016. Read more about Richard Lochhead on the Scottish Government website

We help companies create charismatic virtual assistants. I am a strong believer in the “Age of Assistants” — virtual assistants becoming an indispensable connector between brands and their customers. What could be an easier way to start interacting with a brand than to just speak your wishes and questions out loud? I have extensive experience in consultancy for companies on their way into the Age of Assistants. With my team, I help brands discover the strategic potential of starting a true conversation with their customers, work out the way to get there efficiently, and navigate the challenges along the way.

Caroline Laurenson is the Managing Director of TL Tech Smart Home Solutions based in Scotland in the UK. TL Tech specialises in supporting people to maintain their independence in their own homes and are passionate about breaking down barriers to help people access digital solutions. In 2020, TL Tech pivoted its business to focus on supporting customers remotely in new innovative ways. In November 2020, Caroline and her team launched Kindspace, a voice application for Amazon Alexa that supports wellbeing, empowers self-care and helps to alleviate loneliness. More recently, TL Tech has been working with the Health and Social Care Alliance to create a voice-accessible version of ALISS – A Local Information System for Scotland. Caroline found entrepreneurship a little by accident during her own life pivot away from a career in the energy sector and when she’s not working on growing the business, you’ll find Caroline singing, sewing and inspiring others into STEM careers.

Eve Psalti is 20+year tech and business leader, currently the Senior Director at Microsoft’s Azure AI engineering organization responsible for scaling & commercializing artificial intelligence solutions. She was previously the Head of Strategic Platforms at Google Cloud where she worked with F500 companies helping them grow their businesses through digital transformation initiatives. Prior to Google, Eve held business development, sales and marketing leadership positions at Microsoft and startups across the US and Europe leading 200-people teams and $600M businesses. A native of Greece, she holds a Master’s degree and several technology and business certifications from London Business School and the University of Washington. Eve currently serves on the board of WE Global Studios, a full-stack startup innovation studio supporting female entrepreneurs. https://www.linkedin.com/in/evepsalti https://twitter.com/evepsalti

Tom is the Chief Data Officer at the Scottish Government, with extensive hands-on experience working across Data Science, Data Analysis, Data Architecture, Software Development and Data Engineering. With his wealth of experience working in various UK government departments, he has spent several years developing and improving organisations’ use of data to inform policy and operational decisions.

As the manger of JLR's Global Technical Support, my system and team provides support to all JLR Retailer Technicians in relation to vehicle (and diagnostic tool) concerns. Shaped by a growth mindset, the team constantly look for ways to develop and optimise the process, recognising any improvement made will ultimately improve the client experience. - marginal gains absolutely contribute to impact. 3 years ago I created a business case to introduce a Chatbot that would utilise AI technologies in order to support the delivery of technical support. The intent was to establish a Chat channel that could provide an immediate link between Retailer Technician and central JLR support team. This link would not only be established reactively (upon Retailer Technician request), but also proactively, (where a technician had performed an action within the diagnostic tool X times the chat for help would be offered).

Seasoned technology leader with 18+ years of experience, specializing in the intersection of AI and data-driven insights. Passionate about leveraging graphs to enhance AI systems, with a strong focus on real-world AI agents and agentic reasoning. Dedicated to simplifying complex concepts and advancing research to drive practical benefits for all.

Currently finding opportunities to leverage the benefits of large language models within customer servicing and engagement at Lloyds Banking Group, and working through the challenge of balancing those opportunities with the risks inherent in generative Al.Experience with chatbots includes creating a BIMA-nominated virtual Robbie Williams chatbot - Rokhot, creating voice-powered fan experiences for Alexa with Sony Music and Warner Bros, designing conversational flows for financial services, entertainment, technology and sports brands as well as training many conversation designers.

Nick has been a customer service practitioner for the whole 22 years of his career. He spent 15 years at leading telecoms and utility companies, where he implemented the first wave of conversational AI tools. At BCG, he helps customer service leaders across industries to transform experience and productivity. He publishes a weekly newsletter at servicematters.substack.com

Pavan is an award winning developer evangelist. A GenAI, DevOps, Data Science and Machine Learning enthusiast. He transitioned himself from a marketer to a self-taught developer to understand how developers think and write code.

Carlos, Co-Founder and CTO of Malted AI, is a former Research Scientist at Meta, where he focused on open-source large language models (LLMs) and reasoning. He led the winning Alexa Challenge Team, driving product and AI innovation. His PhD research taught LLMs to use external systems—such as databases and calculators—to solve complex multi-step problems. Carlos has published work on code generation, reasoning, and conversational AI in leading venues including EMNLP, SIGIR, and TREC

Katherine Martin is Product Director at Oxford Languages, a department of Oxford University Press (OUP) focused on language data and technologies. Oxford Languages works with partners ranging from innovative start-ups to Big Tech giants to embed OUP’s authoritative content in products and services where it can progress our mission of furthering education, research, and communication. As leader of Oxford Languages’ Product and Data functions, Katherine is responsible for a broad portfolio that includes renowned products such as the Oxford English Dictionary, where she started her career at OUP working as a lexicographer. Her current focus is on exploring opportunities for OUP to support responsible and ethical AI that solves genuine problems.

Somnath is a seasoned product leader with 22+ years in digital and AI, working in consultancies, enterprises and startups. He has founded his own AI Startup, led M&A deals and managed large P&Ls for digital services for telecom, finance, healthcare, and retail. Over the last 9 years, he has been building core ML and NLP products for NatWest, IQVIA, Amazon and most recently the TotalJobs Group.

<em>Andreas Horn leads IBM's AIOps service portfolio across the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region, overseeing a team of experts and providing both technical and business expertise in AIOps, asset-based consulting and the strategic deployment of AI solutions to help companies thrive in the age of AI. In addition to his role at IBM, Andreas lectures at several universities, focusing on the development and application of AI tools designed to enhance efficiency and productivity in everyday work</em>

Jesse Lucas is an experienced Product Manager with a decade of expertise at John Lewis, where he spearheaded innovative Conversational Commerce initiatives. Now at Lebara, one of Europe's rapidly expanding mobile networks, Jesse is driving the development of Conversational AI and chatbot capabilities across multiple markets. He is also the founder of THE CHITCHAT, a blog, podcast, and speaking platform that provides thought leadership in Conversational Commerce, offering insights and guidance to help businesses excel in this evolving field.

Saad is a passionate data scientist with an insatiable curiosity for advancements in AI. With a knack for tackling complex challenges, they've consistently been at the forefront of technological developments, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the field of artificial intelligence. Saad holds master degree in AI & data science and has several years of experience in the field. He's LinkedIn's top AI voice and brings together their love for data science and AI, offering unique insights that blend technical expertise with creative thinking

Carmen Raposo is a mathematical engineer with 7 years of experience in artificial intelligence, specializing in the development of conversational assistant solutions. As a Project Manager, she focuses on understanding business needs and defining optimal strategies, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to enhance the implementation of conversational assistants and ensure successful outcomes.

Working in the technology industry for 30+ years. Spent the last 7 years development Conversation AI solutions. Recently retired from TD and have now joined Bell Canada to help them build a Contact Centre solution leveraging conversation ai.

Laura Martín-Pérez is a Computational Linguist with over a decade of experience in Natural Language Processing (NLP). As Senior Linguist at NTT DATA, she specializes in designing and fine-tuning language models for conversational AI systems across text and voice channels. Her work leverages cutting-edge technologies, including large language models (LLMs), hybrid NLU frameworks, and machine learning-driven solutions.

Rachel Pratt, a Senior Conversational AI Designer at Microsoft, specializes in designing and optimizing speech-enabled IVR solutions and Chatbots for enterprises. With an MSc in Speech and Language Processing from The University of Edinburgh, Rachel first joined Nuance where she honed her skills across multiple sectors including government, banking, and utilities. Rachel brings experience in designing Natural Language Call Steering and Self-Service applications that meet business objectives and user needs. Passionate about empowering businesses, Rachel is dedicated to sharing best practices in Conversational AI and enjoys working with companies to enable and support their design teams

Emily is a content designer, conversation/VUI designer, and professional violinist, currently working as a content designer at Microsoft. She is an ambassador for the Linux Foundation's Open Voice TrustMark initiative and co-authored their Ethical Principles for Conversational AI edX course. She also co-hosts Convers(AI)tions, a series of panel discussions on conversational AI. Emily has spoken internationally at conferences such as VOICE & AI and Unparsed. She previously co-hosted the podcast Voice Spark Live and featured as a Voicefluencer on “The Voice Den.” Awards include winning the Digital Assistant Academy’s Hackabot 2021

I am the Global Head of Privacy and AI Governance for the Fexco Group and a recognised, international speaker on AI governance. I am a qualified lawyer with over 12 years' experience in governance. I am also a member of the AI WG of the Future of Privacy Forum in Washington DC and I chair the CEDPO AI WG in Brussels. I also spoke at last year's Conversational AI Summit in Edinburgh.

I am a Manager in the AI & Data practice at Deloitte, based out of New York City with close to 10 years of experience overall of which the last 7 years have been focused on NLP, and AI. More recently, I have worked on cutting edge technology in Generative AI, helping clients train Large Language Models and solving business problems using emerging Gen AI frameworks. Previously I worked at Amazon where I have led the launch of Alexa in Hindi language in 2019 and a few critical launches for Google Search during my time at Google as a contractor.

Razvan-Petru Radu is a digital business and technology leader at the Publications Office of the European Union where he leads the Publications Office Portal providing EU citizens, governments and businesses with digital access to authentic information and data from the European Union. Razvan specializes in corporate web, digital dissemination and knowledge retrieval platforms as well as ICT & innovation strategy. With a master degree in information systems security management and another one in system engineering, Razvan has over 20 years leadership and innovation responsibilities in a highly qualified multi-national & multi-cultural workforce in both the public and private sectors. Razvan is very much involved in creating compelling networking opportunities to connect and build bridges between people, startups, large organizations or international institutions

Sherin Mathew is a renowned AI leader and ethicist in the UK, with expertise in AI strategy, ethics, and digital transformation. As a former IBM AI Expert, Sherin specialises in transforming businesses into cognitive enterprises. Since founding AI Tech UK in 2018, Sherin has been at the forefront of delivering the National AI Strategy and promoting AI awareness among UK businesses. A Tech4Good advocate, Sherin also founded Smart Ethics, an open AI ethics management platform in collaboration with global partners. Recognised as a top AI strategist and advisor, Sherin collaborates with SMEs, startups, and the UK AI policy team (DSIT) to "Disrupt the AI Disruption." An accomplished public speaker and published thought leader, Sherin has been featured in 60 Leaders in AI, Top 5 Asians in Tech, and DataIQ-Top100 Leaders.

Dr. Olga Khryapchenkova serves as a Lead Product Manager for NIO’s in-vehicle AI system – the voice assistant NOMI. In this role, she is responsible for creating a user-friendly voice interface, adopting the latest technologies in the area of conversational AI and generative AI: ECNR, ASR, NLU, DM, TTS, LLM integration, and much more, with active application of UX research.

Anna Leschanowsky is a Research Associate in the Human-Machine Interaction group at Fraunhofer IIS in Erlangen, Germany. Her research focuses on privacy and fairness in Conversational AI, with a particular emphasis on developing privacy strategies that promote fairness-by-design and empower users

Lisa Falkson is currently Senior UX Design Manager at Amazon, leading a team of Conversation (CxD) and UX Designers on Alexa’s core experiences.  She has over 20 years of industry and research experience, specializing in the design, development and deployment of voice-first multimodal interfaces.  As a design leader focused on voice-first experiences for Amazon Alexa and Echo Family Devices, Lisa’s industry awards include: Top 17 Product and Design Leader in 2020 (https://voicebot.ai/top-design-product-pros-in-voice-2020/) and WiV "Woman of the Year" 2022 (https://womeninvoice.org/awards/). Lisa’s industry experience includes next-generation voice user interfaces at NIO and CloudCar, as well as Amazon’s first speech-enabled products: Fire TV, Fire Phone and Echo/Alexa.  Prior to that, she focused on early iPad/iPhone interfaces at Volio, and speech-enabled IVR applications at Nuance.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, and an Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from UCLA.

Cassie MacKenzie is an audience-first content designer currently leading the Data & AI content practice at Scotiabank, including conversational design for the Scotiabank chatbot. With a decade of experience across most places you'll find content — internal and executive communications, UX and UI copy, conversational design, social media, and advertising — she writes with a crystal clear yet malleable voice that's perpetually optimistic. Her current side quest is making this new hybrid life feel more human(e)

Nikhil is an engineer and a double MBA, with decade+ of experience he has been teaching at Hult since the last 2 years. With over 10+ years of experience in industry and academia, Nikhil is focused towards consulting and building techno socio resilience in academics by researching industry best practices.

Dr Brigitte Viljoen is a registered psychotherapist who works with clients with a range of mental health issues, in private practice. Brigitte lecturers at Auckland University of Technology. She has a special interest in the relationship between human beings and technology, mental health and the wider social impact of these contexts.

Eunji is the Founder and Chief Design Officer of Designed Connected, where she helps businesses connect with their customers through design solutions. Prior to Designed Connected, Eunji led conversational AI design at Home Depot. As a thought leader, Eunji developed design strategies for conversational AI products at Home Depot, improving customer satisfaction metrics, time and cost savings

Giulia works as a Conversation Designer/Chatbot Developer at GetYourGuide, a leading global online marketplace to discover and book experiences worth traveling for. She also organizes and co-hosts Convers(AI)tions with Emily Uematsu Banzhaf, a podcast meets series of panels on conversational AI and liminal subjects, and is a Google Women Techmakers Ambassador

As an NLP expert, my unique expertise lies in the conceptualising, designing, and developing of a linguistically text based conversational software agent (LING-CSA) using the functional linguistic theory – Role and Reference Grammar (RRG). My current research interest is the hybridisation of statistical NLP and linguistic NLP to refine the accuracy of the interpretation of meaning to provide a realistic dialogue with deep semantic knowledge. I have presented findings, articles and book chapters on the motivations, design, and evaluation of LING-CSA and challenges of hybridisation. My current research project is motivated by the grand challenges of healthcare, with the pre-screening of dementia via an intervention in the form of CA hybridisation solution with person-centred CA design with submitted application (ongoing review) with UKRI (EPRSC).

Krishika is a PhD researcher focusing on Conversational Interfaces and Responsible AI. Her research examines the methods and tools used in industry to implement conversational AI systems and investigates how ethical principles are embedded into these technologies. With a deep interest in the intersection of technology and ethics, Krishika is committed to advancing knowledge in these critical areas of AI development and application

Fausto is a technical data and AI strategist from the Netherlands passionate about democratising access to advanced technology. With a background spanning behavioural science, evolutionary biology, cognitive science, and political theory, he brings a unique perspective to AI's ethical development and application. Transitioning from restaurant entrepreneurship, Fausto has become influential in the Dutch AI space. His technical achievements include an LLM-powered financial document extraction pipeline, an AI tool for processing meeting transcripts, and a system predicting utility scores for event attendees using simulated human LLM agents. These reflect his belief that AI should empower individuals and SMBs to compete with large corporations. Currently, he leads initiatives fusing LLMs with traditional software to extract and validate data at scale and simulate human behaviour in complex systems. Grounded in game theory, behavioural psychology, and cognitive science, Fausto's AI-driven simulations create frameworks mimicking human behaviour and optimising decision-making. These embody his mission: using AI to improve societal outcomes by fostering collaboration, optimising economic interdependencies, and ensuring democratic access to cutting-edge tools. As founder of the **AI Builders community**, now with over 1000 technical members across Europe, Fausto has created a space where innovators push AI's boundaries. His thought leadership advocates for democratic AI governance serving public interest. Through writing, community initiatives, and speeches, Fausto champions a future where AI empowers the many, helping society thrive rather than enriching only a select few.

Oksana Hagen is a robotics and AI researcher at the University of Plymouth. Oksana's experience spans various roles, including improving computer vision and robotics autonomy. Her current focus is on integrating AI into human-computer interaction applications using co-design methodology.

With 20 years of IT experience, including the last 5 years focused on AI and the past 3 years specializing in Generative & Conversation AI, I am eager to share my extensive knowledge and experience through educational initiatives & speaker initiatives. My passion lies in helping knowledge seekers demystify AI and Generative AI. I particularly enjoy identifying and distinguishing use cases and scenarios where AI/Generative AI should and should not be applied.

Michael McTear is an Emeritus Professor at Ulster University with a special interest in spoken language technologies. He has been researching in the field of spoken dialogue systems for more than 20 years and is the author of several books, including Spoken Dialogue Technology: Toward The Conversational User Interface (Springer, 2004), Spoken Dialogue Systems (Morgan and Claypool, 2010), with Kristiina Jokinen, The Conversational Interface: Talking to Smart Devices (Springer, 2016), with Zoraida Callejas and David Griol, Conversational AI ( Morgan & Claypool 2020), and Transforming Conversational AI (Apress, 2024) with Marina Ashurkina. Michael has delivered keynote addresses and tutorials at many academic conferences and workshops, including SpeechTEK, Conversational Interaction, ProjectVoice, REWORK AI Assistant Summit, the European Chatbot Conferences, and the Altrusia Conversational AI conferences in Germany, Malaysia, and India. Currently Michael is involved in several research and development projects investigating the use of conversational agents in socially relevant projects such as mental health monitoring, and home monitoring of older persons

Rebecca Rutschmann is a pioneer in the convergence of coaching technology and artificial intelligence. She has founded the AI coaching companion startup evoach in 2019, being responsible for all product development and acting as Co-CEO overseeing product development and marketing. She is the creator of the AI Coach Alpina that was officially launched early March 2023 as one of the first AI Coaches completely integrating generative AI (ChatGPT). As a tech entrepreneur, communications specialist and certified business coach, her expertise shines in crafting outstanding user experiences, a testament to her deep understanding of both technology and human interaction. She is now running her own AI Literacy Academy "Viva la Coaching" to bring AI know-how to the corporate learning, education & coaching world.

Twelve years of extensive hands-on experience in cybersecurity, risk management, governance, threat intelligence, SOC management, artificial intelligence, security transformation programs, incident management, implementation of business resilience and project risk capabilities in terms of information security, strategic planning, procurement, and negotiating, business development, project s management, IT and Security Audit Leader.

Djuradj is an AI innovator with a knack for turning complex problems into groundbreaking solutions. With hands-on experience from over 250 projects, he’s not just about theory—he’s about results. Djuradj specializes in making Conversational AI work in the real world, from crafting precise prompts to designing intuitive voice interactions. His passion lies in exploring how AI can genuinely enhance user experiences while navigating the evolving landscape of regulations. When he speaks, he brings both deep expertise and a fresh perspective, making him a dynamic addition to any conversation about the future of AI.

Alex is a curious mind and a lifelong learner intrigued by everything, from innovations, new tech marketing, AI, leadership, music, art, and everything in between. With 15+ years of experience in digital marketing and project management, Alex has worked for diverse agencies, in-house teams, and publishers. At the moment, Alex is the CTO at Tag Digital—an agency specialising in event marketing

I’m Brynn Chadwick, a seasoned product lead with over eight years of experience in conversational AI and AI agents. I specialise in driving innovative solutions within both startup and corporate environments. Recognised for my strategic approach, I have successfully developed and launched AI-driven platforms that enhance user engagement and streamline processes. I excel at utilising user research and market analysis to inform product strategy, ensuring that each solution addresses real customer needs. My passion lies in creating intuitive and impactful products that empower businesses to thrive in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI technologies

Staffan Larsson is co-founder and Chief Science Officer of Talkamatic AB, as well as professor of Computational Linguistics at the Department of Philosophy, Linguistics and Theory of Science at the University of Gothenburg. His research covers conversational AI, the semantics and pragmatics of human language use in interaction, language and cognition, formal semantics, and semantic coordination in dialogue. Larsson is co-initiator (with David Traum, USC) of the highly influential Information State Update (ISU) approach to dialogue management and conversational AI. He has also worked extensively on a cognitively oriented approach to meaning and semantic learning (TTR)

Senior prompt engineering lead with experience on GTM sprints for the first, large-scale, genAI deployments on 3 global, billion+ member social media platforms. Iterate, evaluate and create SFT datasets to fine-tune some of the world's most endearing AI assistants and chatbots. Keen interest in AI safety as an adversarial red team specialist. Career SaaS marketer who pivoted to AI in 2022 and hasn't looked back

Zachary Johnson is an AI UX Advisor at Pulse Labs with over 20 years of experience in the technology sector. He specializes in UX research and data capture strategies for generative AI and large language models. Zach's career spans roles from founding an interactive production studio focused on conversational AI to serving as a Designer in Residence at UC San Diego Design Lab. His work has earned accolades including an Emmy Nomination and a Grand Prix at Cannes Lions. Zach's approach blends innovation with empathy, aiming to make technology more human-centric and impactful.

I'm a passionate business development professional specializing in strategic partnerships and implementing cloud-based solutions. I have extensive experience with Google Cloud technologies and I have successfully helped companies extensively leverage cloud-based solutions and develop cloud-native applications, including conversational and visual AI, data analytics and GenAI

Ursula Krobath is a certified expert in conversational AI, AI training and service automation - with a strong foundation in linguistics. Currently a Founder & Research Development Lead, she brings over a decade of experience across user-centric management roles that span from knowledge management and customer support to digital development. Ursula has made a significant impact in natural language processing and chatbot implementation, driving innovations in companies like New Work SE (XING, kununu). Her journey also includes running her own businesses where she honed her skills in management consulting and strategic planning. As a neurodivergent professional, Ursula leverages her unique cognitive strengths and focus on inclusivity and diversity to deliver highly personalised B2B consulting solutions for Conversational AI projects. Her fresh perspective enhances her abilities and research background, allowing her to design impactful, AI-driven conversational solutions tailored to her clients’ users needs. Dedicated to advancing digital experiences, Ursula continues to shape the future of Conversational AI, empowering businesses to implement effective and inclusive conversational AI solutions

Sydney Eneremadu is an experienced professional in Conversational AI, Generative AI, and Conversational Design. A visionary in advancing Conversational AI (CAI) and Generative AI (GenAI) technologies, Sydney is passionate about building thriving communities and preparing for the transformative future of these fields. Sydney is the Founder and CEO of The European Chatbot Summit and the Africa Chatbot Summit, two premier platforms dedicated to showcasing the potential of Conversational AI and Generative AI while accelerating their adoption. Through organizing industry-leading events, Sydney brings together innovators, thought leaders, government officials, and practitioners to explore cutting-edge advancements in CAI and GenAI technology. These efforts foster collaboration and drive progress across Europe and Africa.

With over a decade of experience in frontier markets, Wasif played a key role in establishing the ride-sharing industry in Bangladesh as part of the founding team at Pathao, helping scale it to a $100 million valuation. He launched Uber in Dhaka, successfully acquiring over 100,000 drivers, expanding operations into two cities, and introducing multiple services, including delivery and food. He also led the customer experience team, streamlining operations to manage over 3,000 daily queries across different business lines. Under his leadership, Pathao scaled to 70,000 daily trips, 8,000 food deliveries, and 3,000 courier deliveries. Wasif's leadership extended beyond the private sector. As the former President of Volunteer For Bangladesh (Dhaka District), he demonstrated a proven track record of impact by recruiting 20,000 volunteers and spearheading 30 social projects that directly benefited over a million marginalized individuals. His commitment to social causes, combined with his business acumen, continues to drive his work. Wasif is the CEO and co-founder of UnityFlow AI, a company at the forefront of developing AI-driven multilingual speech recognition solutions designed to empower businesses and communities with a special focus on Underserved Languages. UnityFlow AI is dedicated to breaking language barriers, enhancing operational efficiency, and fostering inclusivity in communication. With a career spanning tech startups, social ventures, and the energy sector, Wasif brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to driving innovation that aligns with UnityFlow AI’s mission of creating inclusive, accessible, and transformative technologies for a diverse global audience.