Westminster eForum

This conference will examine the experience of regulators and industry since the implementation of GDPR - including lessons learnt, and the implications for business practice and the regulatory framework going forward.

Discussion will focus on the impact of the new regulatory framework - with its emphasis on transparency and accountability - on organisational practice and individual citizens, and on the relationships between businesses and consumers, as well as new thinking on strategies and best practice for data processing. 

Sessions will bring out case studies from the regulatory process in practice, highlight uncertainties and anomalies, consider examples of intervention or enforcement, and assess further areas for regulatory adjustment and development. 

We also expect discussion to reflect the international perspective, including the future of co-operation between data protection authorities in the UK and the EU and of alignment with EU data protection standards.

This timely conference considered developments in the monetisation of digital content including latest thinking on trends, challenges and strategies - and options for policy and industry in developing fair and sustainable systems of value exchange.

Delegates discussed latest industry practice in content monetisation - including strategic approaches across sectors and genres and the factors underlying them - as well as developments in collaboration and competition, and the impact on content creators, consumers and audiences.

Taking place in the context of the European Parliament vote to approve the proposed Copyright Directive, as well as further policy developments in the UK and internationally, sessions focused on the implications for platforms and publishers, and the future for value exchange and remuneration for creators and IP owners - as well as further options for intervention.

Areas for discussion included:

• Learning from advertising-based, subscription and hybrid monetisation models being pursued across sectors, platforms and categories of content;
• Developments in policy around copyright, data usage and protection;
• Emerging collaborative models and the future of value exchange between online platforms and creators;
• Latest thinking on regulation and policy in the UK, across Europe and more widely; and
• The particular challenges facing the news media industry, in the context of the government’s review on the sustainability of local media.

This timely seminar will bring together key policymakers and stakeholders to discuss the next steps in the UK’s AI policy.

It takes place in the context of the Government’s ambition for the UK to be a world leader on AI, and plans for investment in skills, infrastructure and research, as well as new finance for start-ups and scale-ups, and support for creating ‘clusters’ of AI-focused businesses across the country outlined in the AI Sector Deal, and the Artificial Intelligence and Data Grand Challenge in the Industrial Strategy.

Overall, areas for discussion include:

• Research and innovation - opportunities and practical next steps for the Government, research councils, universities and businesses to collaborate;
• Infrastructure - developing data infrastructure, the Government’s proposals for ‘Data Trusts’, and 5G, fibre broadband and shared access to ‘supercomputer’ facilities;
• Investment - priorities for business and the Government in encouraging private patient capital and other forms of support for start-ups and AI ‘clusters’;
• Ethics - latest thinking on designing and regulating a fit-for-purpose ethical framework for the use of AI and the data upon which it relies; and
• Skills - the likely impact of the new AI Masters programmes and AI Centres for Doctoral Training, emanating from the Sector Deal, and preparing the current and future workforce for an increasingly-automated world.

This timely seminar considered the future for how data is used in the digital economy, in the context of the UK government and the EU developing major policies on consumer protection and privacy.

It was set against the backdrop of major developments in UK policy, including the new Digital Services Tax as well as the Smart Data review and the announcement of the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation.

It also took place in the context of further policy developments in the UK and across Europe - including a call for evidence from an independent panel appointed to examine competition in the UK Digital Economy, the ongoing implementation of GDPR, and with the EU moving forward with the ePrivacy Regulation.

Following the announcement of the CMA’s investigation into the ‘loyalty penalty’ super-complaint brought by Citizen’s Advice, and research on consumer targeting through personalised pricing and search results commissioned jointly by BEIS and the CMA, discussion brought out latest thinking on consumer protection in relation to data, and how businesses can best navigate the fast-evolving regulatory landscape and develop sustainable models for best practice.

Delegates also considered the latest developments and innovations in the treatment, handling and utilisation of data - looking at the future for digital marketing, AI, data analytics, and the personalisation of online offers and search engine results.

This timely seminar will examine latest progress and next steps for attracting and retaining women across the technology sector, and supporting their progression. 

Delegates will assess priorities for the development of a diverse talent pipeline - looking at what more might be done to address barriers to entry, encourage more women to study STEM, and improve links between education, policy and industry.

They will also consider the future role of women in the development of cutting-edge tech and driving the UK’s international competitiveness.

Following the publication of the first year of gender pay gap reporting, further sessions will examine issues around recruitment, career progression and equal pay, as well as discussing wider challenges regarding workplace culture - including improving transparency, enhancing employer engagement, encouraging mentoring and network initiatives, and establishing conducive working environments for all. 

This timely seminar will be an opportunity to discuss the findings of the Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review and consider the way ahead for the development of the UK’s digital infrastructure.

Policymakers and industry stakeholders will discuss what the Review will mean for competition and the structure of the telecommunications market - including around fixed and mobile convergence - and explore next steps for meeting targets laid out for the wide-scale rollout of full fibre and 5G networks, assessing challenges for investment, delivery and take-up.

Delegates will also assess latest progress and impact of the Government’s Local Full Fibre Networks Challenge Fund aimed at supporting the rollout of full fibre connectivity across the UK, with the recent launch of the third round including a focus on rural areas, overcoming barriers to commercial roll-out, improving public services and market development.  

Also taking place in light of the publication of the National Infrastructure Commission’s National Infrastructure Assessment - which includes recommendations for investment in full fibre broadband to enable the UK to exploit future technologies - the seminar will consider the role of digital infrastructure in boosting the UK’s productivity and economic growth.

Further sessions will assess the ability of different areas of the UK to support competition and consider the extent to which the policy and regulatory intervention outlined in the Review meets the future needs of the sector and the public - including what further measures might be needed to deliver and support the optimal market structures for encouraging long-term investment.

This conference will examine the future of UK gambling at a pivotal time for the industry - focusing on the future of the market, innovation and latest thinking on responsibility in the sector.

Following the Government’s announcement of a reduction in the maximum stake on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals, and the Gambling Commission’s recent announcement of new rules to protect consumers following its consultation, delegates will assess the potential commercial impact, and consider what further action might be needed to support sector growth and promote a socially responsible industry.

In light of the recent US Supreme Court Ruling on sports betting which opens the way for its legalisation across states in America, and amid heightened merger and acquisition activity, delegates will also discuss new market opportunities and the way ahead for the competitive landscape, as it adapts to regulatory developments in both the UK and US, and seeks to drive down costs.

Further sessions will bring out latest thinking on innovation and modernisation as the UK sector seeks to retain and exploit its leading international position in both technology and regulation - including personalised product development, the use of analytics and a focus on online platforms - as well as consider how the sector might better co-ordinate in its engagement with policymakers and more widely.

This timely seminar will consider the future for the use, regulation and commercialisation of drones in the UK.

With a draft Drones Bill due to be published later this year, it will be an opportunity to discuss the recently-announced Government consultation on proposed additional enforcement and regulatory powers to address drone misuse - including fixed penalties, counter-drone technology, age restrictions and regulation of apps - and follows the announcement earlier this year of new laws governing drone usage, including the introduction of height limits, further restrictions around airports and online safety tests for users, as well as the European Aviation Safety Agency’s proposed regulatory framework.

Delegates will also discuss next steps for positioning the UK at the forefront of drone development - looking at key issues around infrastructure, innovation, insurance and commercial applications - in the context of Project Chatham and the government-funded Flying High Challenge, which will support cities in the development of drone technology that can transform critical services.