Technology Connected Data & AI

Spotlighting Wales as a centre of expertise and opportunity for enabling and emerging data and AI technologies, showcasing their applications for today’s business and society.

What is Technology Connected Data & AI?

The dedicated network for the data and AI community in Wales, created by and sitting within the Technology Connected organisation to represent and unite the data and AI community.

Innovating in data or AI, or want to explore the benefits for your business?

Get in touch
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Through our work we are…

1 /

Connecting

Building The Network that is strategically representative across industries and the ecosystem – optimising the benefits of data and AI technologies to improve performance, profitability, and growth, creating an environment that engenders opportunity.

2 /

Developing

Generating an inclusive environment in which we inspire, inform and empower the next generation of tech talent for the future world of work.

3 /

Influencing

Engaging with key stakeholders to invest in, protect, and support data and AI by providing strategic insights.

4 /

Championing

Championing Wales on the global stage as a centre of expertise and opportunity for data and AI.

Connecting

Building The Network that is strategically representative across industries and the ecosystem – optimising the benefits of data and AI technologies to improve performance, profitability, and growth, creating an environment that engenders opportunity.

Developing

Generating an inclusive environment in which we inspire, inform and empower the next generation of tech talent for the future world of work.

Influencing

Engaging with key stakeholders to invest in, protect, and support data and AI by providing strategic insights.

Championing

Championing Wales on the global stage as a centre of expertise and opportunity for data and AI.

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Meet some of Wales' data and AI experts

Meet the Council

All members of the Council are unpaid, and no individuals derive financial gain from anything that they do in respect of the working group. While organisations are welcomed as sponsors, that doesn’t mean that any particular company, individual or organisation has more say, influence or significance than another within Technology Connected Data & AI. We welcome constructive input, participation and debate involving all parties within the data and AI communities. What we won’t accommodate, however, are unfounded and defamatory comments aimed at individuals or Technology Connected Data & AI.

Allie Brock

Anoup Kerrai

Ben Holland

Cai Gwinnutt

Dr. Mabrouka Abuhmida

Glenn Morgan

Jessica Dowdall

Jonathan Prescott

Lucy Young

Natalie Jakomis

Nick Tune

Paul Shepherd

Sameer Rahman

Allie Brock

Head of Strategy and Insights, Box UK

Allie’s role is to support organisation’s strategic direction using data and insights to shape solutions.

Anoup Kerrai

Senior Azure Technical Specialist – Data & AI (Public sector), Microsoft

At Microsoft, Anoup’s role as a Senior Azure Technical Specialist revolves around nurturing Data & AI innovation and culture across the Public Sector. Harnessing data & AI strategy to architect solutions that align with organisational goals built with data governance and responsible AI practices.

Ben Holland

Co-Founder / CTO, Antiverse

With a first-class MEng from Oxford in information engineering, Ben began his career at an early-stage medical device startup. Over five years, he led project R&D, managed a development team, established international partnerships, oversaw IP matters, and helped set up manufacturing in Malaysia, earning recognition as an inventor on multiple patents. Returning to his information engineering roots, Ben has since spent nearly a decade in machine learning, training his first (small) language model in 2015. He co-founded Antiverse in 2017 as an AI-driven antibody design company tackling drug targets that remain inaccessible to conventional methods.

Cai Gwinnutt

Founder, Woodstreet Research

Experienced executive and board member working with tech startups and innovation teams to build strategies for great products and companies.

Dr. Mabrouka Abuhmida

Research & Innovation Group Leader – University of South Wales

A Senior Lecturer in Computing and the guiding force behind the MSc Artificial Intelligence course, is celebrated as the STEM Woman of the Year 2023. Mabrouka’s extensive expertise in artificial intelligence and machine learning has been the cornerstone of interdisciplinary research. Her work, notably in mental health support and the development of intelligent technologies, showcases her innovative approach to applying AI to diverse sectors. Her leadership extends beyond academia; Her advocacy for seamless technology transfer is evident in her efforts to bridge gaps between public institutions and private enterprises, fostering partnerships that drive technological advancement and innovation.

Glenn Morgan

Co-Founder / Chief AI Officer, Net Consulting

Glenn has always had an affinity for IT and problem solving, so combining these interests, it makes sense that he likes to try to make systems run fast and efficiently. Now with the adoption of AI, there’s an entirely new range of business problems that can be addressed which simply wasn’t previously possible, and he finds that very exciting.

In his spare time, Glenn is an avid petrolhead, at his happiest driving around an empty Alpine mountain pass.

Jessica Dowdall

Head of Data Operations, BBC

Jessica serves as the Head of Data Operations for the BBC in Cardiff, bringing deep expertise across the data value chain, multi-cloud technologies (AWS, Google, Microsoft), delivery, and innovation strategy. She is driven by a passion for tackling complex challenges and delivering meaningful strategic impact.

In addition to her technical expertise, Jessica is a strong advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She actively mentors emerging talent and leads high-performing teams. Recognized as one of Computing’s Top 50 Tech Women and Top 100 IT Leaders UK (2023), Jessica is eager to explore new opportunities for innovation while fostering a more inclusive and dynamic tech community.

Jonathan Prescott

Chief Data and AI Officer, Cavefish AI

Jonathan Prescott is a distinguished figure in the realm of digital growth, with a particular emphasis on the integration of artificial intelligence to enhance digital commerce, analytics, marketing, and business transformation

Professional History:

  • Current Chief Data and AI Officer at Cavefish AI, leading a team that revolutionises marketing with AI.
  • Previous roles include Interim/Fractional CDO positions and Director of Growth & Transformation at Logicsoftware.
  • Notable achievements as the Director of Digital at The Royal Mint, spearheading digital transformation and innovation as part of a diversification strategy, and as the Director of Digital Performance at Assurant, a global $10bn Insurance company in the US.
  • Interim / Fractional CDO in Education, B2B and B2C
  • Serial entrepreneur having been involved with a variety of start-ups from training through to web apps

Lucy Young

VP Customer Success, AMPLYFI

Lucy is VP Customer Success at AMPLYFI. She works with customers to drive adoption of AI software and services to support their research and market intelligence. Lucy joined AMPLYFI 6 years ago, following her work in innovation consultancy. Lucy has used this experience to embed an innovation-focused approach to software adoption and a customer-focused approach to innovation.

Natalie Jakomis

Director of Data & Analytics, Rightmove

Over 20 years of experience across a range of successful organisations including Coats PLC, GoCompare and Dwr Cymru Welsh Water – delivering ambitious data strategies and driving innovation and growth, alongside building a leading data and AI capability and next generation platforms for data and AI growth.

Has successfully held NED roles, with a focus on data and digital at Principality Building Society and Newport Live. Taking the lead in digital transformation and driving a data and digital culture, whilst conveying a fresh perspective and stimulating view of what is to come and bringing a more implicit understanding of technology spend and return on investment.

Nick Tune

CEO & Co-Founder, Optimise AI

Nick is the CEO and Co-founder of Optimise AI, the 2024 Michael Moritz Wales Tech Start up of the Year, leading a team of experts in developing and deploying our patented digital twin technology that revolutionizes energy management in buildings.

With over 20 years of experience in the built environment sector, Nick has a proven track record of creating and delivering innovative solutions that benefit the industry and the society, while generating value and growth for clients and partners.

Nick is also a commissioner for the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales.

Paul Shepherd

Founder, Logicdialog

Previously co-founder of Hello Soda (exited to Acuant Group Inc.).

Logicdialog is a venture backed, multi award winning Generative AI company with one mission; to place Generative AI at the heart of every business regardless of size or sector.

Identified by Sifted as one of Europe’s top 100 generative AI firms, listed by StartUs as a Global top 5 Utilities AI firm and listed by SME Enterprise as the UK’s Top Public Sector automation firm.

We currently work across government, transport, utilities, third, education, retail, housing and leisure to drive huge operational efficiencies through communication automation, powered by Generative AI and the Conversational Interface.

We envision a world of communication automation powered by Generative AI and we’re building a $billion company before the decade is out. 

Sameer Rahman

CEO & Founder, DataMonet

Voted among the UK’s Top 100 data influencers in 2021 and 2020, Sameer has a proven track record of driving business growth through data and digital transformation. With over 10 years of experience as a board-level executive, he has led numerous transformative programs, making businesses more agile and scalable. As an early adopter of AI and machine learning technologies, Sameer has helped companies disrupt their business models successfully. Additionally, he serves as a business advisor to tech startups and is an international author and speaker on predictive modelling. He is also a NED for Bath Building Society, the FAW and Glamorgan Cricket Club.