Maria Axente

Founder and CEO, Responsible Intelligence

Maria Axente is the Founder of Responsible Intelligence, a consultancy focused on ethical and responsible AI deployment. With a deep understanding of the evolving AI landscape, Maria advises organisations on navigating the complexities of AI governance, ethics, and human-centric design. Her work aims to foster trust and accountability in AI systems, ensuring they benefit society while mitigating potential risks. Maria is passionate about promoting dialogue and best practices in AI ethics, particularly for SMEs and in the context of global regulatory frameworks.

Peter Whale

Founder & CEO, Vision Formers

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 bring together industry, academia, and government to catalyse telecoms R&D through investment, cooperation and commercialisation.

Peter is a CW AI SIG Champion, a Fellow of the IET, a Chartered Engineer, a member of the Association of Business Mentors and a Trustee of the Historic Towns Trust.