Organisers of the PPMA Total Show, which returns to the NEC, Birmingham in September, have announced the first keynote speaker for the event: founder CEO of AI and education technology firm CENTURY, Priya Lakhani OBE.
Visitors to the UK’s biggest processing and packaging machinery, robotics and industrial vision event, which takes place from 23-25 September, will have the opportunity to hear Priya’s keynote speech, AI Everything Everywhere All at Once, on the first day of the show.
Organised by Automate UK, the PPMA Total Show, offers live equipment demonstrations, valuable insight into innovative technologies and networking opportunities to industry professionals from across the entire manufacturing spectrum.
Scott McKenna, chief operating officer for Automate UK, said: “When registrations for the PPMA Total Show® opened last month, we promised visitors access to unique expert-led seminars, and we are thrilled to have secured Priya to deliver the first keynote address at the event.
“As the founder of an award-winning AI and education technology company that develops learning tools for schools, colleges, universities and employers across the world, Priya’s work and knowledge is inspiring, and her presentation aims to demystify AI and leave attendees AI confident and ready to leverage the technology to its full potential.
“Her speech will include use cases and provide key strategic questions for visitors to apply within their own organisations, and we anticipate a great deal of interest from visitors keen to benefit from her expertise,” he added.
The co-host of BBC News’ flagship AI programme, AI Decoded, Priya’s experience is extensive. Further to having launched a successful FMCG business in 2008, Masala, which through its charitable foundation provided millions of meals and 35,000 vaccinations to the underprivileged in India and Africa, Priya went on to be appointed to the UK government’s AI Council in 2019.
Priya then co-founded the Institute for Ethical AI for the education sector, prior to being appointed as non-executive board member to the UK Government Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), with specific focus on online safety and technology.
In 2023 she was an advisor to Patrick Vallance for his Pro-innovation Regulation of Technologies Review and currently advises the government as a member of the Prime Minister’s Council of Science and Technology.
Most recently, Priya was selected by the World Economic Forum as a Tech Pioneer for her pioneering AI work at CENTURY.
Now in its 38th year, the PPMA Total Show 2025 will showcase more than 350 exhibitors and 1,500 brands, giving attendees access to cutting-edge technology and solutions to optimise performance, reduce costs, and future-proof their businesses.
The event will include a live demo theatre where selected exhibitors will launch technology directly to attendees and participate in daily innovation tours to expand upon it and show them how to harness it within their own businesses.
Attendance for The PPMA Total Show 2025 is free. To register, visit: https://www.ppmashow.co.uk.