Salford hosts first ever GMIoT Student Conference exploring all things AI
On Tuesday 12 December, the University of Salford was proud to host the first ever inaugural Greater Manchester Institute of Technology (GMIoT) Student Conference in our Science, Engineering and Environment (SEE) Building. The inspiring event was open to all GMIoT students across the partnership, including Ada, the National College of Digital Skills, Bury College, Tameside College, Wigan & Leigh College and the University of Salford.
The conference was a fantastic opportunity for likeminded students to connect with their peers, industry employers, and influential speakers.
Presenters included our Pro Vice-Chancellor Academic Development Jo Purves, GMIoT Director Claire Foreman, and our headline speaker and Chair in Science Communication and Future Media Professor Andy Miah. Plus, attendees session with the GMIoT’s key cyber partner GCHQ where students were invited to enter their national Christmas codebreaker challenge.
Opening the conference, Jo Purves addressed the audience of students, commenting: “One of the reasons why the University of Salford wanted play a key role in the GMIoT was because our research into the future will inform what you learn and what employers are going to need.
“Recently we’ve been delighted to offer our partner colleges the chance to visit facilities at Salford like Energy House 2.0 where we are building energy efficient houses of the future and our North or England Robotics Innovation Centre (NERIC). It’s great that you can really see how what you are learning might relate to our research here and now.”
Director of the GMIoT Claire Foreman went on to introduce the conference’s theme for the day, Artificial Intelligence (AI).
“AI is no doubt going to be a life-changer and will affect every industry and every technology,” she said. “I’m passionate that you will go away not just with your expertise, whether that’s in engineering or electronics, but that you also see the whole picture and are digitally competent - that is our direction of travel.”
Andy Miah then took to the stage to deliver a keynote talk on how immersive technologies are changing our world, from creating new world class events and experiences to creating a whole new generation of virtual influencers. Attendees discovered how Generation AI are making use of creative tools to reimagine our digital and physical worlds.
Students also had the opportunity to play competitive gaming on the latest VR headsets in a breakout area and learn about how AI links to everyday life.
The event closed with a special session for the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures, with attendees hearing about all things AI from a selection of Salford academics.
Learn more about the GMIoT.
For all press office enquiries please email communications@salford.ac.uk.
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