Westminster eForum

This conference will consider key issues for immersive technologies in the UK - with discussion expected on:

• Potential uses;
• Regulatory and policy priorities; and
• Next steps for investment and research.

Delegates will discuss how immersive tech is being used, and the impact it is set to have across a wide spectrum of sectors ranging across:

• High-value manufacturing and engineering - including aerospace, automotive and other areas of transport;
• Video games, film and television;
• Architecture, construction and planning;
• Computer-aided design and three-dimensional modelling;
• Healthcare, including surgery and psychological therapies; and
• The emergency services, health and safety, and the military.

The agenda also looks at potential ethical and legal issues arising from its widespread adoption, including:

• Data protection and regulatory compliance, such as issues around lawful processing bases for personal and special category data;
• Health and safety issues for users of immersive tech;
• Liability and insurance issues resulting from potential misuse or harm caused by these technologies;
• Intellectual property rights for content created in real time; and
• Content regulation of advertisements and entertainment served by immersive technologies.

It takes place in the context of:

• Digital Catapult’s programme of work in immersive tech, including initiatives such as CreativeXR and the Immersive Labs;
• £33m of investment in immersive tech under the UKRI Audience of the Future Challenge; and
• The ongoing work taking place as part of the Creative Industries Sector Deal, including further government investment in virtual and augmented reality technologies and the video games sector.

Speakers

There will be keynote addresses from:

• Dr Jeremy Silver, Chief Executive Officer, Digital Catapult;
• Graham Mold, Head of Growth Capital, Frontier Development Capital; and
• Tara Reddy, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, LoveShark.

Further speakers include:

• Andrew Bravin, Associate, Technology Group, Sheridans;
• Andrew Cormack, Chief Regulatory Adviser, Jisc;
• Simon Fletcher, Chief Technology Officer, Real Wireless and Co-Chair, International Working Group, UK5G Innovation Network;
• Jason Hawthorne, Founding Director and Chief Digital Officer, VU.CITY;
• Professor Roy Kalawsky, Director, Advanced VR Research Centre, Loughborough University; and
• Sol Rogers, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, REWIND and Chair, Advisory Board, ImmerseUK.

The agenda

• Assessing the potential of immersive technologies - case studies on:
  
  • The impact of virtual reality in the broadcasting sector; and
  • Applying immersive technologies in high-value manufacturing.
• Investing in the UK’s immersive tech sector - engagement, business development and access to finance;
• Next steps for developing immersive technologies in the UK - developing a range of use cases across the wider economy;
• Assessing ethical and regulatory implications - data protection, safety, and liability;
• AR technologies in the video games sector - case study; and
• Future development of the UK’s immersive tech sector

Engagement with policy officials at this conference

This Westminster eForum conference has attracted strong interest from policymakers. It will be an opportunity for stakeholders to engage with officials who have reserved places representing: BEIS; Cabinet Office; Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation; DCMS; Defra; DfT; DIT; the European Space Agency; the Government Equalities Office; HMRC; Home Office; MoD and the Office for Artificial Intelligence.

This conference focuses on the future for sharing and portability of consumer data - as well as priorities for supporting both data-driven innovation and the protection of consumers and their data.

Areas for discussion include:

• The Smart Data Review - which seeks to shift greater control over personal data to individuals - with the Government considering the response to the public consultation on its plans;
• Ofcom developing detailed proposals on an ‘Open Communications’ initiative - which would require communications businesses to provide consumer data to third party providers at the consumer’s request, as recommended by the Smart Data Review;
• The CMA calls - as part of its update on tackling the loyalty penalty - for the Government to bring forward its Consumer White Paper;
• ICO consultation on the draft Data Sharing Code of Practice - which focuses on changes to data protection legislation where these changes are relevant to data sharing; and
• The future of cross border sharing of consumer data as the UK prepares for its future trading relationship with the EU and beyond.

Speakers

There will be keynote addresses from:

• Tim Jarvis, Director, Consumer and Competition Policy, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy;
• Imran Gulamhuseinwala, Trustee, Open Banking Implementation Entity; and

Further confirmed speakers include: Sue Daley, techUK; Chris Gorst, Nesta; Philip James, Sheridans; Laurie Laybourn-Langton, IPPR; Carlo Nebuloni, AXA UK and Ireland and Richard Neudegg, uSwitch.

The agenda

• The Smart Data Review - key proposals and next steps;
• Addressing the ‘loyalty penalty’ in consumer markets;
• Enabling data-driven innovation in consumer markets - opportunities, safeguards, and using data and technology to help vulnerable consumers;
• Case study: enabling innovation in data-driven services for consumers through the development of Open Banking standards;
• Data portability and transfers between online platforms - standards, collaboration, and consent; and
• Data sharing and digital and online markets - regulation, competition, and ensuring consumers and their data are protected.

Engagement with policy officials at this conference

This Westminster eForum conference has attracted particularly strong interest from policymakers. It will be an opportunity for stakeholders to engage with officials who have reserved places representing: BEIS; the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles; CMA; DCMS; DfE; DfT; DIT; HMRC; Home Office; ICO; MoJ; Ofcom, OGD and the Welsh Government.

This seminar focused on the way forward for the development of the UK’s data economy.

Areas for discussion included:

• Latest on the development of the National Data Strategy and what is needed from policy and the sector itself to support organisations in utilising data to drive growth;
• Broadening access to public sector data for the private sector, including SMEs;
• Increasing public involvement and trust in the use and treatment of their data;
• Improving public services and the way data is gathered, exchanged, and used across government - and in the private and third sectors; and
• Next steps for the UK’s data infrastructure.

Delegates discussed priorities for developing the UK’s wider data economy and delivering improvements in the UK’s data infrastructure - including what further support might be needed from policymakers and central government.

There was further discussion on utilising data to drive wider economic growth and to stimulate increased business productivity. Delegates looked at the way forward for overcoming some of the key barriers - including skills requirements and the development and sharing of cross-sectoral expertise and best practice.

Further sessions focused on the next steps for developing increased digitisation and utilisation of data across the UK economy and a range of public services.

The seminar followed the publication of the Challenges in using data across government report by the National Audit Office, which set out a number of recommendations on improving the handling and use of data across government departments and the treatment of data as a strategic asset.

Also taking place in the context of the GovTech Catalyst programme, delegates considered the way forward for supporting data-driven innovation in services and their delivery - including improvements in quality and reliability, efficiency, and cost savings.

Further sessions looked at latest developments in private-sector innovation in data handling and delivery of data-driven public services. Delegates examined options for improving partnerships and collaboration between government and others in the public sector, as well as businesses, charities, and other stakeholder groups, to promote continued innovation and technological development.

They also assessed key lessons learnt in the private sector and across the wider economy in developing data handling best practice - and their applicability in government departments and public sector bodies.

The agenda also looked at the way forward for increasing public trust in the use of data by Government and across the wider economy. Delegates examined key ethical questions around the handling of personal and identifying data, including data privacy, cyber security and data protection, and profiling.

Discussion also took place on the way forward for guarding against the use of poor-quality or incomplete data in making policy decisions - including the effect on individuals and societal groups, with the NAO’s report highlighting the case of the handling of the Windrush situation.

Further sessions looked at improving data handling practices within government departments and agencies, and other public sector bodies. Discussion took place on key issues being discussed for the National Data Strategy in the areas of data standardisation and transfers between departments, improving the quality of data collected and held in government databases, and resourcing for the implementation of best practice in data handling across government.

Delegates first addressed prevention, treatment and research, discussing the key priorities for meeting strategic focus areas highlighted in the Gambling Commission’s Strategy - prevention and education, and treatment and support - with discussion on the role of research, public health, and partnerships.

Further sessions assessed online and mobile advertising standards, looking at influencers and technology - highlighting the DCMS committee’s recent report on Immersive and addictive technologies finding that young people in the UK are spending £270m a year in total on in-app purchases and video game add-ons.

Delegates also discussed the key priorities for ensuring a safer gambling environment - with discussion around the strengthening of age verification rules for online gambling and the proposed ban on gambling with credit cards.

Finally, delegates considered sustainable sector growth and retail gambling, examining the key challenges facing the retail gambling sector and how it is adapting in the current regulatory climate, including alternative revenue streams that are required to put the sector on a sustainable footing for the future and the impact of shifts towards online gambling on the wider sector.

This seminar considered next steps for 5G in the UK - and the positioning of this country in the global market for 5G development and services.

It took place following the Government’s publication of the final Statement of Strategic Priorities for Ofcom, including aspirations on 5G development and rollout.

Delegates considered key priorities for driving the rollout of 5G network infrastructure across the UK.

The conference followed:

• The announcement of £5bn in funding to support the rollout of gigabit-capable broadband and £30m of government funding to accelerate 5G rollout in rural areas;
• The announcement of a £1bn partnership between government and the mobile industry to tackle rural ‘not-spots’; and
• The launch of 5G services by a number of network providers in several urban centres.

Discussion took place on tackling barriers to infrastructure rollout, as well as the potential role for the Neutral Host model of infrastructure provision.

The agenda also looked at spectrum allocation, in light of the upcoming 700MHz and 3.6-3.8GHz band auctions.

There was discussion on:

• Key priorities for efficiently utilising available spectrum to deliver 5G services;
• The way forward for developing spectrum sharing and trading models between network providers; and
• The potential for spectrum defragmentation in the 3.4 - 3.8GHz band - following the Ofcom consultation.

Further sessions considered the development of the market for 5G services, including priorities for consumers.

Discussion took place on contract and handset pricing, as well as on network security and reliability.

The agenda also brought out latest thinking on the long-term transformational potential of the latest generation of wireless technologies - examining potential use cases for 5G networks across the wider economy and its role in enabling technological innovation, including in areas such as immersive technologies, automation, and robotics.

This seminar considered the way forward for developing quantum technologies in the UK.

Areas for discussion included:

• Progress so far and the UK’s international position;
• Investment and commercialisation;
• Tackling the key technical challenges; and
• The wider transformative potential of quantum technologies, as well as possible broader societal implications.

It took place following the announcement of a series of rounds of government funding for the UK National Quantum Technology Programme - and in the context of the government agenda in a new parliament.

Delegates discussed progress made so far under the overarching national programme - including on individual projects, such as the establishment of a National Quantum Computing Centre and the development of Centres for Doctoral Training - and on what more might be required from policymakers, researchers, and businesses to support work into developing quantum technologies in the UK.

Further discussion took place on underpinning the UK’s international competitiveness and positioning in quantum R&D in the face of major investments being made by a number of other players, including the USA, China, and EU.

Those in attendance also considered what more needs to be done to address the key remaining technical and practical barriers to widespread commercialisation of quantum technologies across areas such as computing, sensing, metrology, imaging, and communications.

Discussion took place on issues around scalability, stability, and reliability, and integration with existing systems and computing processes.

Delegates also assessed potential disruptive implications of quantum technologies, including the challenges it may pose to conventional cybersecurity and encryption methodologies - and the way forward for developing new technologies and approaches to mitigate these concerns at an early stage.

Following the announcement by UKRI of the commercialising quantum technologies programme, there was further discussion on key priorities for driving the development of practical applications for quantum technologies and their rollout into the wider economy.

Sessions examined the progress being made by the UKRI-funded Quantum Pioneer Challenge Fund projects - such as the Gravity Pioneer project, aiming to develop a quantum gravity sensor for use in underground surveying - and what learning from these projects might be applied more broadly, as well as some of the key obstacles encountered and solutions deployed.

The agenda also brought out latest thinking on what more may be needed from policymakers to incentivise private sector investment into quantum technology projects, as well as the way forward for developing effective collaboration between the public sector, academia, and industry.

The conference also provided an opportunity to discuss the potential overall impact of any future growth in the use of quantum technologies across a range of sectors and business areas.

There was also discussion on the possible broader societal implications of the development of quantum technologies, and whether new regulatory developments might be needed in the future in order to avoid unforeseen negative consequences.

This conference examines next steps for developing data protection regulation in the UK.

Speakers

There will be keynote addresses from Steve Wood, Executive Director - Regulatory Strategy, Information Commissioner’s Office and Harry Lee, Deputy Director, Domestic Data Protection Policy, DCMS - as well as from Chris Combemale, Chief Executive Officer, Data & Marketing Association.

Further confirmed speakers include: Ruth Boardman, Bird & Bird; Professor Douwe Korff, London Metropolitan University; Dyann Heward Mills, HewardMills; Dawn Monaghan, NHSX; Linda NiChualladh, Citi; Zoe Rowland, Cancer Research UK and Mark Thompson, KPMG.

The chairs are Charles Courtenay, the Earl of Devon, Partner, Michelmores and Rt Hon the Lord McNally

The agenda

• The impact of GDPR in the UK since its implementation;
• Developing best practice in data handling across the wider economy - lawful processing bases, subject access requests, and breach reporting;
• Assessing the future outlook for data protection in the UK:
  
  • Developing and implementing sector-specific data protection codes of conduct; and
  • Options for UK alignment with EU data protection regulation after Brexit.
• Next steps for UK data protection policy; and
• The ICO’s future regulatory approach.

Engagement with policy officials at this conference

This Westminster eForum conference has attracted particularly strong interest from policymakers. It will be an opportunity for stakeholders to engage with officials who have reserved places representing: BEIS; Cabinet Office; Competition and Markets Authority; the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation; Office for AI; Government Digital Service; DCMS; Defra; Department for Education; Department for International Trade; Department for Transport; DHSC; DWP; Food Standards Agency; Foreign and Commonwealth Office; Government Legal Department; Government Office for Science; HM Revenue & Customs; Home Office; MHCLG; Ministry of Justice; National Audit Office; National Crime Agency; Ofcom; Office for National Statistics; The Scottish Government and the UK Visas and Immigration.

This conference discussed UK drones policy, the future regulatory system, and opportunities for commercial application of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in the UK.

Taking place in the context of the publication of the draft Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Bill, discussion focused on current and future regulatory developments affecting commercial and civil drone operations in the UK.

The conference provided an opportunity to examine what more is needed in terms of technical solutions and enforcement powers to avoid further disruption from rogue use of drones, such as those seen at UK airports in the preceding year - including airspace restrictions, detection and counter-drone technologies.

It followed the adoption of EU rules on drone operations earlier in the year, and the CAA’s recent publication of plans for their implementation in the UK within the next year.

The conference also presented an opportunity to assess the implications of the new mandatory Drone Registration and Education Scheme - which came into effect on 30th November 2019 and requires UK drone pilots to register their details with the CAA, pass an online test, and pay an annual fee.

There was also discussion on the government’s response to the Taking Flight: The Future of Drones in the UK consultation, which set out:

• The case for tighter controls around drone use;
• Plans to develop policy related to the flight information notification system (fins); and
• An expansion of geo-fencing so that inbuilt drone technology can restrict entry into no-fly zones.

Following the publication of the Science and Technology Select Committee’s report on Commercial and recreational drone use in the UK, further sessions considered the evolving landscape in terms of regulation, including the compliance challenges facing drone users in the UK, as well as questions around airspace management and liability.

Those attending also assessed the potential for wider commercial and public sector drone use.

Discussion took place on the latest developments in use cases including the management, surveying and maintenance of infrastructure assets, supporting the work of the emergency services, drone utilisation in the construction and agriculture sectors, and wider emerging applications.

Delegates considered what more is needed to support the growth of the sector and to drive continued innovation, in order to ensure the UK is positioned as a global leader in this field.

Areas for discussion included what developments may be required to the regulatory framework for unmanned aircraft system operations if fully-autonomous and BVLOS flying are to be enabled on a routine basis.

The seminar began by addressing industry responsibility, highlighting the focus on industry responsibility in the Online Harms White Paper - including the proposed legal duty of care for online companies towards its users. This raised questions of what duties and liability should fall on social media platforms and tech companies.

It follows the Science and Technology Committee’s report in 2019 on the mental health impacts of social media - which found that social media exacerbated online harms including negative body image and cyberbullying - and reported evidence of social media platforms being used as a marketplace for the illegal sale of drugs - particularly among young people.

As the government looks to make tech companies more accountable, delegates heard directly from industry experts on what more can be done to protect children online.

The seminar also assessed regulation and media literacy, bringing out the latest thinking on the future of online regulation with respect to children.

Discussion also revolved around the effectiveness of current public and private sector initiatives aimed at encouraging children to think more critically online.

Delegates also had the opportunity to consider areas for improvement - with the white paper announcing plans to develop a new online media literacy strategy.

Additionally, the seminar examined privacy and data protection, measuring the progress that has been made towards protecting children’s privacy online and what further support might be needed.

Discussion targeted the implication of increased protections of user privacy on the ability of industry and investigators to identify and intercept online communications which could harm children’s online safety. The ICO’s Age Appropriate Design Code was particularly prevalent within this discussion. 

Finally, the seminar scrutinized age verification and freedom of expression legislation. Part 3 of the UK’s Digital Economy Act - which includes provisions for age-verification on porn sites - will not go ahead, according to the government announcement, and instead the objective of preventing adult content from being easily accessed online will be delivered through the regulatory framework proposed in the Online Harms White Paper.

Delegates also considered the implications this has for the implementation of the Design Code, and assessed the feasibility and workability of age-verification technology in future policy and regulatory design.

Discussion also explored issues of how to define what is harmful, especially when the content is not illegal, as well as enforceability issues and whose responsibility this should be - and concerns about age verification technology, with restriction of access to information potentially stifling freedom of expression.

This conference examined the future for digital payment services in the UK - with discussion on regulation, innovation and the implementation of the Revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2).

Discussion focused on the impact of regulatory changes on the sector.

It was informed by:

• The Future of Finance Report commissioned by the Bank of England - which includes recommendations designed to shape the payments system of the future, including allowing open access to a broader range of payment providers who operate across borders; and
• Publication of the FCA’s general standards and communication rules for the payment services and e-money sectors.

Following the FCA’s announcement of a phased introduction of Strong Customer Authentication over 18 months, sessions also provided an opportunity to assess the challenges and opportunities arising from PSD2 implementation.

The conference took place in the context of rapid growth in financial technology - including Open Banking and contactless mobile payments.

Delegates also examined key priorities for promoting continued innovation and competition in the sector, while at the same time ensuring that new technological developments do not compromise the security of personal and financial information.

Discussion also took place on the impact of third party payment services providers (TPPs) such as payment initiation services providers (PISPs) - who are able to initiate payments on behalf of customers - and what more needs to be done to make sure systems work for the benefit of the consumer. Sessions on the agenda included case studies on services enabling vulnerable consumers to better manage their money and reduce debt.

This seminar assessed priorities for the UK in maintaining its capacity to deal with the latest developments in cyber security.

It took place in the context of the Government’s draft National Cyber Security Skills Strategy, and with the publication of the NCSC’s Active Cyber Defence Report for 2019, which summarised the work taking place under the NCSC’s Active Cyber Defence Programme - including analysis of the effectiveness of measures taken up to that point, and the latest developments in the threat landscape.

The agenda brought out assessments of the latest state of the cyber security threats facing the UK at the time and how they were being addressed.

In the context of the announcement of £70m of Government funding for a new Digital Security by Design Challenge, sessions examined potential vulnerabilities across key sections of the UK economy and how they were being tackled.

The conference took place following the announcement of the Telecoms Supply Chain Review, which set out government plans to improve security standards and practices in the telecoms sector through greater enforcement of security requirements, and to protect the UK’s national security interests by creating a sustainable and diverse telecoms supply chain.

Delegates also considered emerging issues, including cyber security at the periphery of networks and in IoT devices - with the Government reviewing responses to its consultation on regulatory proposals for consumer IoT security.

Areas for discussion included the extent to which vulnerabilities at the edges of networks constitute a threat to overall network security and the way forward for policy, regulation and industry practice in tackling the issues.

Delegates assessed measures set out in the draft National Cyber Security Skills Strategy, as well as examining progress and considering next steps more broadly around skills and securing a sustainable pipeline of talent.

Discussion took place on workforce diversity, which was a focus of a round of funding for the Cyber Skills Immediate Impact Fund, as well as on the creation of the new UK Cyber Security Council.

Delegates considered key issues around education and training - including skills development; tailored training programmes and priorities for improving cyber-awareness for the wider workforce.

Further sessions discussed how the UK can attract and retain talent, assessing the effectiveness of recruitment and discovery programmes.

This seminar focused on the next steps for developing the AI sector in the UK - with sessions discussing the research, investment, skills and ethical challenges which underpin its development.

The conference assessed the progress of the AI Sector Deal - which set out the Government’s approach to skills, infrastructure, research and finance in the sector. Discussion drew upon the one-year on update from the Government

Delegates considered what has been learnt so far, what more is needed to support the sector, - and the priorities for the Office of Artificial Intelligence and AI Council, which were set up to realise the full potential of AI to the economy as part of the Sector Deal.

Delegates discussed the key priorities for meeting the UK’s AI skills demand including retaining AI graduates, developing a diverse workforce, and upskilling and reskilling the existing workforce.

It follows the skills and talent package announced by the Government in February to support the growth of a world-leading AI sector in the UK - which included plans for new industry-funded AI Masters, and 16 dedicated UK Research and Innovation AI Centres for Doctoral Training at universities.

The UK’s positioning in the global AI sector was also assessed - which included discussion around competitiveness, international collaboration and its place as a world leader.

Following the publication of the White Paper on Regulation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution - which set out plans to create a regulatory system that will support innovation while protecting citizens and the environment - and the AI Readiness Index 2019 - which ranked the UK second globally - delegates discussed what more is needed to support the development and growth of AI across the UK.

This included considerations around the national data infrastructure that is required to enable widespread adoption of AI - such as ‘Data Trusts’, 5G and fibre broadband infrastructure and high performance computing.

This conference followed government investment of £250m into a new National AI Lab for the NHS, and increased funding for the Four Centres of Excellence, both with the aim to improve diagnostics and screening capabilities and improve care delivery.

Attendees discussed priorities for The Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation - also set up as part of the sector deal - as it sets its 2 Year Strategy and workplan for 2019/20 - which includes plans for reviews into online targeting and bias in decision-making algorithms. The latest thinking on designing and regulating a fit-for-purpose ethical framework for the use of AI and the data upon which it relies was also considered.