Herts supports conference exploring how AI is changing the way we work and communicate

The event at The Fielder Centre in Hatfield Business Park brought together business leaders, technology pioneers, educators, and innovators for a day of inspiring talks, practical workshops, and immersive exhibitions.

Themes included harnessing the power of AI to unlock significant productivity gains and creative workflow as well as opportunities and ethical challenges this technology presents.

Herts academics Dr Cristoph Salge, Reader in Artificial Intelligence in Games, and Dr Patrick Holthaus, Reader in Interactive Assistive Technology in the Robotics Research Group, presented at the conference, highlighting AI’s potential to drive innovation.

The event featured a variety of sessions, including a keynote speech from Dr Robert Smith PhD FRSA - a scientist, entrepreneur, and author of the bestseller Rage Inside the Machine, a book examining AI and prejudice which was shortlisted for the UK Best Business Book of 2020.

Attendees explored exhibition stands featuring local startups, AI innovators, and the University’s interactive ‘Robot House Immersive Experience’ - a virtual glimpse inside the Robot House, a four-bedroom home near the College Lane campus transformed into a cutting-edge human-robot interaction research facility.

Funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, the Robot House’s ground floor is equipped with advanced robotics platforms, including care robots for assisted living. The facility enables researchers, academic groups, and industry partners to explore and test new ways to enhance collaboration between humans and robots.

Alongside Herts, the 2025 conference was sponsored by Google, which has recently established a data centre on a 33-acre site in Waltham Cross, and Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, a nationally recognised life sciences hub bringing together academia, biotech, and pharma to foster collaboration.

Pete Gooden, Director of Research and Enterprise Services at University of Hertfordshire, said:

“As a leading University championing innovation and collaboration, we are proud to support the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce’s AI conference, which brings together academia, industry, and technology pioneers to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way we live and work.

“At the University of Hertfordshire, we are dedicated to harnessing AI’s potential to enhance lives, drive productivity, and inspire the next generation of digital talent. This event reflects our ongoing commitment to shaping a future where technology empowers people, businesses, and society.”

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