Procuring innovation from start-ups and niche suppliers – reflections from AI Safety Institute, DSIT

Governments have a key role to play in ensuring advanced AI is safe and beneficial. Join us at Cardiff University’s Innovation campus, sbarc building to hear from two commercial leads at The Department for Science Innovation and Technology. The speakers, both AI Safety Institute's Commercial and Grants leads will share their reflections on public procurement of innovation within a niche, fast paced and global sector.

Anybody with an interest in advancing technology, working with start-ups and niche suppliers within confines of public procurement. That includes, policy makers, procurement professionals, tech / digital suppliers, supplier support agencies, academic researchers, and students.

This breakfast event will start with the Annual General Meeting for South Wales CIPS branch. We welcome new committee volunteers to help plan events like this for local members.

If you have any queries please contact branchevents@cips.org

EVENT VENUE:

Sbarc/Spark, Innovation Campus, Cardiff University, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ

How to get there:

10 minutes walk from Cathays Train Station

10 minutes walk from North Road bus stop opposite Tesco Express

Parking is available on campus and limited availability on the side street

Cycle racks available

EVENT SPEAKERS

Phil Joslin 

Commercial Lead, DSIT

Phil Joslin is a public sector buyer with 19 years experience, specialising in contract management and procurement of IT goods and services.  With extensive experience in managing outsourced IT services and public sector procurement frameworks, Phil is employed by GCF and currently serves as a Commercial Lead at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, supporting the AI Safety Institute in a dynamic and strategically important sector.

Paul Hayes

Commercial Lead, DSIT 

Paul Hayes is employed by the Government Commercial Function (GCF) asa Commercial Lead within the Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (AISI), which is part of the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT).

With extensive experience of procurement, grants and supply chain management within both the public and private sectors, Paul holds the MCIPS (Chartered Procurement & Supply Professional) designation. Paul has a proven track record of successfully managing high value, highly sensitive, and complex defence projects and programmes. Currently, Paul is delivering commercial expertise for niche requirements in the field of AI safety from a procurement and grants perspective, focusing on driving innovation and fostering collaborations with key stakeholders.