Panel Discussion: Beyond Academia – Delivering AI for Net Zero
Tuesday 17 December, 15.40, Alumni Auditorium
Join our panel for discussion on the critical issue of how we deliver AI for Net Zero, and how we can translate research into the delivery of net zero on the ground.
Our panel brings together
- an AI practitioner working on the application of AI in the energy sector,
- a speaker from the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology’s (DSIT) Responsible Technology Adoption Unit
- the Co-Director of the Joint Centre for Excellence in Environmental Intelligence working on ways we can harness advanced data science and artificial intelligence to tackle environmental challenges and inform policy decisions
- the Head of Digital Environment at the Natural Environment Research Council, providing a funder’s perspective on this question
- our keynote speaker, Professor Amy Binner
The Panel
Sam Young
Sam is the AI Practice Manager at the Energy Systems Catapult. He is focused on maximising the energy sector’s ability to use AI to benefit society. His work ranges from helping others apply AI to specific energy problems to leading cross-sector initiatives to identify and remove barriers to the effective use of AI.
Dr. Rachel McInnes MinstP
Rachel has been an integral part of the Met Office for over 14 years, holding numerous positions across Weather, Climate, Foundation, and Applied Science. Rachel’s is known for her ability to deliver high-quality, evidence-based science for decision makers, making her a respected leader in her field. Her extensive cross-Office experience, combined with a solid scientific background and a keen interest in impact science, has led to her current role as Co-Director of the Joint Centre for Excellence in Environmental Intelligence (JCEEI). The JCEEI is an innovative partnership between Exeter University and the Met Office, focusing on harnessing advanced data science and artificial intelligence to tackle environmental challenges and inform policy decisions.
She effectively leads teams, drives impactful initiatives, and fosters collaboration across institutes. She leverages her vast technical breadth to drive significant benefits to the Met Office and its stakeholders. With extensive research and strategic leadership experience, she has demonstrated a remarkable ability to harness the expertise of multi-skilled teams.
Additionally, as the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead for Science at the Met Office, she advocates for evidence-led best practices in diversity and inclusion, working to create an optimally inclusive workplace.
James Scott
James is a Senior Advisor in the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology’s (DSIT) Responsible Technology Adoption Unit. His work is focussed on developing and highlighting tools and approaches to support the responsible development and implementation of AI tools and systems. Most recently he was lead author of a report setting out the UK governments approach to the effective assurance of AI systems. Previously James has worked in a range of policy, research and international roles across many government departments and agencies.
Amy Binner
Amy Binner is an environmental economist at the University of Exeter’s LEEP Institute, specialising in techniques of spatial analysis, statistics, and economic modelling, and their application to the study of land use based decision-making. Her recent work focuses on the development of spatially explicit agent-based models in an environmental context using complex computational techniques. Her research provides her with a broad set of competencies in environmental and resource economics; particularly in non-market valuation, agent-based modelling, programming and simulation, general equilibrium modelling and econometrics.
Simon Gardner
Simon is Head of Digital Environment at the Natural Environment Research Council within UK Research and Innovation and co-authored NERC’s first Digital Strategy. He has led the delivery of a number of NERC programmes in the area of emerging technologies, which have focused on innovation in environmental monitoring, quantum sensing and the use of digital twins of the natural environment. As a member of the UKRI AI Steering Group he works closely with an investment portfolio which includes the ‘AI for Net Zero’ programme and the AI Centres for Doctoral Training.
