What has become of the metaverse? – Rob Whitehead, MSquared and Improbable

Lisa Haycox, chief executive of Explore Learning, discusses the technologies that should and should not be used in children’s education, how perceptions of digital learning changed after the pandemic and how AI represents the future of edtech. Explore Learning is a tuition provider for young students via its digital platform. Haycox discusses the shortfalls of traditional schooling structures and the pros and cons of supplementing education with technology. 

Jo Cox, chief executive officer of ImServ, discusses how smart tracking of energy use works for businesses, how AI can help collect and manage energy data and the myths around smart meters.   IMServ is a data collection and energy metering firm. Cox, who was appointed as the group’s CEO in 2024, discusses the importance of understanding baseline energy usage to improve efficiency and reduce carbon footprints. 

Caroline Seton, co-founder of Forest, discusses the cultural shift in perceptions of cycling brought in by bike hire services, the infrastructural barriers to encourage mass cycling and navigating the venture capital landscape. Forest, founded as Human Forest, is a London-based bicycle hiring service competing with the likes of Lime. The company was founded in 2020 and has become one of the UK capital's most used bike rental firms. 

Rob Whitehead, chief executive of MSquared and co-founder of Improbable discusses why despite a drop in the initial hype, companies in the space are still making exciting innovations in metaverse technology. Whitehead explains why different iterations of virtual space technology have struggled to take off and why focusing on the correct use cases that properly utilise the technology is the key for consumers to enjoy metaverse experiences. 

Dr Jane Jin, founder and chief operating officer of OXCCU, discusses the complexity of developing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), the history of how it has been deployed in the past and just how impactful viable could be for the environment and the aviation industry.  OXCCU is a spinout from the University of Oxford developing technology to turn waste carbon into sustainable aviation fuel as well as climate friendly chemical products and biodegradable plastics. 

Robin Saxby, former chief executive officer and chairman of Arm, discusses the history of his old company, the ever-changing complexities of how geopolitics impacts business and the urgent need for common sense among the world’s politicians to take a global approach to our largest problems.   Saxby became Arm’s first CEO in 1991 and oversaw its rise to prominence that would ultimately lead it to being one of the most important technology companies in the world. Saxby has also held roles at Motorola, Pye and European Silicon Structures. 

Robin Heap, founder and CEO of Zest, discusses how the cultural perception of electric vehicles has radically changed over the years, the massive growth in the UK electric car market and why the road to full electrification requires a great deal more effort from automotive firms, policymakers and consumers. Zest is company specialising in electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The firm installs, manages and maintains EV charge points on behalf of public and commercial landowners. 

Michelle Robson, founding partner at Odyssey Ventures, discusses her journey from chemical engineering grad to launching a venture capital firm, the qualities she looks for in a founder seeking investment and Europe’s place in a tech landscape dominated by Silicon Valley. Odyssey Ventures is a venture capital group based in London and San Francisco with a particular focus on early-stage European founders. Among the VC’s primary targets are startups developing solutions in climate tech, sustainability and decarbonisation. 

Tim Peake, British astronaut, discusses his experience on his mission on the International Space Station, how modern space exploration is changing with the advent of private companies like SpaceX and why humanity is only scratching the surface of the scientific value that can come from in-orbit experimentation.   A British European Space Agency astronaut and ambassador at the Festival of Speed Future Lab, Peake flew to the International Space Station in 2015 and has spent almost 200 days in space. Peake discusses the political nature of space travel and the exciting future of the burgeoning space tech industry. 

Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, discusses the enormous challenge of transforming government services for the automated digital age, how the government plans to create millions of skilled AI workers and Labour’s hands on approach to the tech sector. Kyle was given the reins of the Tech Department when Labour came to power in July 2024. The MP for Hove and Portslade has been tasked with overseeing one of the government's most ambitious missions, turbocharging the tech sector to meet the growth demands of the nation.