The rapid advance of artificial intelligence is reshaping the world of work at an unprecedented pace. Historically, graduate roles have served as the foundation of professional development into industries such as software engineering, law, and pharma. These roles often involve repetitive, data-driven tasks, which are precisely the kinds of activities that AI now handles with increasing proficiency.
As a result, a growing body of evidence suggests that entry-level roles are increasingly considered to be among the most exposed to displacement or redesign, with employers increasingly seeking candidates who can demonstrate experience, specialization, or immediate impact. This leads to early-career roles evolving in ways that compress or bypass traditional learning stages.
This raises a critical question: How should higher education and the society as a whole respond to this challenge?
This event brings together voices from industry and academia to examine the emerging impact of AI on graduate roles. It will explore how skill requirements are shifting, where opportunities are arising, and how education systems can adapt to prepare the next generation. – how organisations can
Why attend? Be involved in the societal debate around these critical issues, gain practical insight, understand implications for hiring / skills / education
Who should attend? Employers, educators and policy makers, HR, talent, recruitment and L&D professionals, early-career professionals or students?
Thank you to our AI SIG sponsor Appleyard Lees
Artificial Intelligence SIG Champions
Darendra Appanah
Darendra is part of the Systems Engineering & Test department, where he applies his expertise in Digital Security Testing to various technologies, including Machine Learning and AI. He has a background in Software Test Automation of wireless communications protocols, such as satellite communications and LTE. He enjoys defining and developing testing strategies for cybersecurity challenges and ensuring the quality and reliability of innovative solutions.
Professor Silvia Cirstea
Silvia Cirstea is a Professor at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and ARU’s Director of the Advanced Computing Research Centre. With a PhD in Imaging Technologies, her work focuses on computational modelling and AI, applying advanced analytical techniques to understand, optimise and predict the behaviour of complex systems across physics, engineering and the health sciences. She is particularly driven by the potential of AI to deliver meaningful societal impact and has a strong interest in digital healthcare. Her expertise includes responsible AI for disease prediction, personalised care solutions and the development of intelligent assistive technologies.
Phil Claridge
Phil Claridge is a ‘virtual CTO’ for hire within Mandrel Systems covering end-to-end systems. Currently having fun and helping others with large-scale AI systems integration, country-wide large scale big-data processing, hands-on IoT technology (from sensor hardware design, through LoRa integration to back end systems), and advanced city information modelling. Supporting companies with M&A ‘exit readiness’, due-diligence and on advisory boards. Past roles include: CTO, Chief Architect, Labs Director, and Technical Evangelist for Geneva/Convergys (telco), Arieso/Viavi (geolocation), and Madge (networking). Phil’s early career was in electronics, and still finds it irresistible to swap from Powerpoint to a soldering iron and a compiler to produce proof-of-concepts when required.
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/claridge/
Marta Kulas
Marta is a Software Systems Engineer at TE Connectivity, where she applies a wide range of technologies, including Machine Learning and AI. Lately, she’s been busy building a prototype mobile app that combines AI and AR (Augmented Reality). Alongside that, she represents the Energy Business Unit in TE’s global AI initiative, helping shape new AI tools for engineers across the company. Despite being an AI SIG Champion, this description was fully human generated. No AI was harmed in the process.
Dr Parminder Lally
Parminder is a patent attorney based in Appleyard Lees’ Cambridge office, and helps companies to protect their technological innovations. She has built a substantial reputation working with high-growth start-ups, spin-outs and SMEs in Cambridge, and has in-house experience. She specialises in writing and prosecuting patent applications for computer-implemented inventions. Her work includes patenting AI-based technologies, including new machine learning frameworks and applications of machine learning in image classification, human-computer interactions and text-to-speech. Parminder also writes her own AI blog on LinkedIn, and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys’ Computer Technology Committee.
Mike Sales
Mike is Head of AI at 42 Technology in Cambridge, where he leads the company’s Edge-AI activities and shapes its strategy in applied artificial intelligence for real-world products. A Chartered Engineer with a strong background in electronics and embedded software, he specialises in deploying AI at the edge on constrained hardware, combining robust system architecture with practical machine learning to deliver reliable, cost-effective solutions. His recent work spans transformer-capable MPUs for enhanced user experience, low-power spiking neural networks for condition monitoring, and clinically validated Edge-AI for neonatal eye screening. Mike works at the intersection of hardware, firmware and ML, enabling intelligent devices that operate efficiently, safely and in real time. Through his involvement with the Cambridge Wireless AI SIG, he supports the wider community in understanding both the opportunities and the engineering realities of AI and Edge-AI deployment.
Simon Thompson
Simon leads a team that develops AI and ML solutions for large financial institutions. Before joining GFT he was the Principal Investigator for BT’s AI program. Before that he was the Head of Practice for Big Data and Customer Experience at BT and BT’s lead for collaborations with MIT, and the first industry fellow at the Alan Turing Institute. Simon is interested in practical application of AI technology and the practice and process of AI and ML projects. His book “Managing Machine Learning Projects” was published by Manning Books in 2023.
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.twitter.com/AISimonThompson
Peter Whale
Peter is Founder & CEO of Vision Formers, the specialist consultancy that supports and mentors leaders of visionary technology businesses get product to market and turn ideas into reality. Vision Formers works with start-ups and scale-ups, providing significant expertise in accelerating business growth through a focus on developing a robust product strategy, growing and coaching product and development teams, and providing operational excellence. Peter has a long track record of conceiving, developing and marketing successful technology-based solutions, deployed at scale, globally. Innovative products Peter has brought to market in digital, cloud, AI, consumer electronics and telecommunications have been used by countless millions of people on a daily basis globally, badged by the world’s leading digital and technology brands. Peter also works with Digital Catapult as Programme Manager for UKTIN, working with partners and stakeholders to deliver UKTIN’s mission to transform the UK telecoms innovation ecosystem, capitalising on the country’s strengths in technology, academia, and entrepreneurialism, while positioning it for growth as new opportunities emerge in the industry. Peter is a board member of CW (Cambridge Wireless), a Fellow of the IET, a Chartered Engineer, and a member of the Association of Business Mentors.
