Representing BT Group at the UK Sovereign AI Forum at 10 Downing Street

View profile for Colin Bannon

CTO BT Business

Not every day do you get to step through the black door of No. 10. It was an honour to represent BT Group (covering for Thomas Meakin) at the first UK Sovereign AI Forum, held at 10 Downing Street and co-hosted by Matt Clifford the Prime Minister’s advisor on AI, alongside NVIDIA and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. Our discussions went to the heart of our shared commitment: strengthening the UK’s economic security by creating a secure, innovative, and #sovereign #AI ecosystem — one that balances innovation with integrity and trust. As leaders from across government, tech, and business we discussed: 🏗️ Building Sovereign Compute, and Communications: Supporting the development and deployment of national AI infrastructure and national models. 🌟 Ecosystem Growth: Building the next generation of AI champions in the UK. Making it easier for start ups to build sovereign AI and making it easier for Gov, Enterprise, SMB and Consumers to use AI. 📝 Talent Development: Collaborating on initiatives to equip UK citizens with the AI skills of the future. At BT Group, our ambition is to be the UK's most trusted connector of people, business, and society. We know the network is a prerequisite for AI to succeed. We have embraced the shift to AI by building, running and securing the nations AI ready, sovereign communication infrastructure. We are the nations champion for sovereign communications, as well as serving our international customers. We will work with Government and partners to enable the AI makers, and make it easier for business and government to use AI with trust and brilliant experience. Allison Kirkby Howard Watson Jon James Bas Burger Claire Gillies Peter Leukert Kerry Small Julian Tan, Ph.D. BT Business EE #NationsChampion #AIReadyNetworks #Data #AI #UKSovAIForum #DSIT #SovereignAI #Innovation #EconomicSecurity #TechUK #BT #EE #BTInternational

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Congratulations Colin Bannon – tremendous to see your continued drive to make technology safe, trusted, and secure for the United Kingdom. Representing BT Group at the very first UK Sovereign AI Forum at No. 10 is a milestone moment. The focus on sovereign compute and communications, building a UK AI ecosystem that champions innovation with integrity, and developing the next wave of AI skills couldn’t be more important right now. Your efforts to ensure the UK has the infrastructure and talent to compete globally while maintaining trust set a high bar for the industry. Great to see BT’s commitment to being the nation’s champion for sovereign communications and enabling AI makers to build the future with confidence. These kinds of partnerships between government, tech, and business will define how the UK secures its position as a leader in AI.

Joseph S.

Director of Communications | Fractional CMO | Interim CMO | Innovator | Investor | IM Mentor

1mo

Today was Matt Clifford's last day in post, I think Colin, wasn't it ? If so do you know who will host the second UK Sovereign AI Forum?

Sarah Walker (CISM)

Chief Executive Cisco UK & Ireland VP | NED | Chair | Women of Cisco Exec Sponsor

1mo

Great to have your voice at this table Colin, look forward to hearing more about the discussion

Beth Mitchell

Managing Director, Service at BT Business | Operations, Transformation, Commercial | Customer Service | Managed Service | DEI | Speaker | Advisor | Mentor

1mo

Sounds like a fascinating event!

Amol Darwhekar

Product Management | Global Fabric Network Strategy | Product Marketing

1mo

This is great, Colin

Excellent work Colin Bannon such an important topic, great to see you leading the charge.

Nisha Kumari

Award-Winning Technology Leader| Digital Transformation Leader| Technology Innovator |Cloud Innovation |AI-Driven Strategy| Telecom & IT| BT,DXC, Accenture, Infosys, Reliance

1mo

Huge congratulations Colin Bannon !! Great to hear this! 😊 For any digital transformation to occur , safe, secure, resilient and sustainable network connectivity is the most important ingredient. At BT we are building such network connectivity with Global Fabric ( with AI functionality) as NaaS which will transform the way business operate. #globalfabric #sustainability #naas #AI Proud to be working for BT Group !

Soummyo Sengupta

Pre-sales Solution Architect

1mo

That's really great Colin Bannon. Thanks for sharing this.

Donald Best

Specialist Network Designer SDWAN

1mo

Colin for PM???? 😁

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