Manchester: AI's new favourite hub?

One of the coolest discussions at the event was about how AI is turning the spotlight back onto data centres. Apparently, London has hit a bit of a power wall (yikes!), and now everyone's looking to Manchester to step up and handle the surge in AI-driven demand. Elizabeth Scott MBE from the Turing Innovation Catalyst Institute and John Duncan from GMCA spoke in a panel on how Manchester is gearing up for this new digital future. Looks like Manchester might become the UK's new AI powerhouse -exciting times!

Rik Ferguson's reality check on cybersecurity

Rik Ferguson, the VP Security Intelligence at Forescout, had one of the best talks on cybersecurity I've heard in ages. He shook things up by pointing out that the traditional idea of 'Zero Trust' (basically trusting no one) isn't enough anymore. Rik argued that today, every request has to be judged based not just on who's sending it, but why it's being sent, especially as cyber threats get smarter thanks to AI. Honestly, after Rik's talk, I'm looking twice at every incoming request. If your business is concerned about evolving cybersecurity threats, our IT Operations team can help implement modern security practices tailored to your needs.

Jake Moore: hacking his way into trouble (on purpose!)

Then there was Jake Moore, this brilliant and slightly crazy cybersecurity advisor and crime enthusiast from ESET. Jake did something you'd expect to see in a movie - he hacked his own face data in railway databases to intentionally get arrested! Why? To expose how easy it is to fool facial recognition tech. It was hilarious and a little terrifying. Jake's talk, titled "Facing Reality," made a powerful point: we need to seriously tighten security around these technologies, especially if they're going to control our lives.

Jake also showed off his Mission: Impossible obsession by recreating Ethan Hunt's famous smart glasses using Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. He fitted them with real-time facial recognition software, allowing him to identify people instantly - just like in the movies! With consent, he tested this tech on his office colleagues, giving us a glimpse into a future that felt exciting but raised important questions about privacy.

Microsoft Copilot helping neurodiverse teams

One of the most inspiring moments came from Simon Hodgkinson, the Head of AI Enablement and Innovation at the British Red Cross. Simon joined a panel to share how they're using Microsoft's Copilot tool to help employees with autism and ADHD work more effectively. Instead of AI replacing jobs, it's empowering people - giving them tools tailored to their strengths. Simon's examples were genuinely heartwarming, showing AI's potential for real good in the workplace. This aligns perfectly with our approach to technology governance, where we focus on using technology to enhance human capabilities rather than replace them.

More cool stuff you might like...

There were other awesome sessions too. "Daisy – the AI Granny scamming the scammers" showed off how Virgin Media O2 is cleverly fighting scammers with their own medicine. "Code Without Caution: AI's Path to the Next Digital Disaster" highlighted why being careful with AI development matters (spoiler: disasters are easier to create than you'd think).

I also checked out the "Cyber-Lympics X Cyber House Party," which felt like a cross between a tech conference and a festival. And "Five for 2025" was perfect for anyone wanting the inside scoop on upcoming AI trends, highlighting especially the rise of physical AI agents and AI-powered PCs, which seem to be inevitable.

Wrapping up

DTX + UCX Manchester 2025 was everything a tech event should be - insightful, fun, and a little wild at times. The future is definitely digital, and clearly, it's already underway in Manchester. Can't wait to see what next year's event has in store!

Did you attend too? I'd love to hear your highlights! Drop me a message at hello@redeagle.tech or get in touch with our software team if you're interested in how we can help implement some of these exciting technologies in your business.