London: AIMS returned to London with its third edition Held under the theme “Intercultural Futures: AI, Sustainability, and the Next Era of Global Innovation,” this year’s gathering united global thought leaders, innovators, and policymakers around one purpose: to shape the moral and cultural frameworks guiding tomorrow’s technologies.

James W. Keyes

James Keyes' focused on redefining traditional views of leadership. Drawing from his personal journey and professional experience as the former CEO of Blockbuster and 7-Eleven, he highlighted that true leadership transcends titles and corner offices. 

Keyes advocated that effective leadership is about seeing change as an opportunity rather than a challenge, a concept he encapsulated as "Change Equals Opportunity." He also redefined the CEO acronym as "Chief Encouragement Officer," emphasizing the importance of empowering and uplifting others in a leadership role.

His narrative was deeply personal, recounting how he overcame adversity in his childhood by harnessing his innate capacity for learning. This resilience and commitment to personal growth and education enabled him to rewrite his life's narrative, steering him away from potential peril and towards becoming a leader of iconic brands.

Erica Hu

Erica reimagined personal growth with human-centered AI, calling us to design systems that unlock human potential, not replace it.

Presenting a vision where AI transcends traditional computational roles to become a connector of people and cultures. Erica is at the forefront of developing human-centered AI, emphasizing the importance of designing technology that understands not just our words, but the world we inhabit.

Erica highlighted the need for AI that feels and adapts, respecting culture and acting as a mirror to our values and identity. She reinforced the message that "AI is not just a tool—it’s a reflection of who we are and what we value." This perspective pushes the boundaries of AI beyond mere functionality, advocating for its integration into the cultural and emotional fabric of society.

Caitlin Sarian

With her journey from EY (Ernst & Young) to leading TikTok’s security strategy, to becoming a leading influencer in the cybersecurity field, Caitlin has become a prominent voice in cybersecurity, reaching millions as a viral educator.

In her keynote, Caitlin explained that cybersecurity is not just an IT issue confined to engineers but a universal responsibility. She shared her own story to demonstrate how cybersecurity can be made engaging and accessible to everyone.

Caitlin's speech motivated the audience to view cybersecurity through a new lens, encouraging them to be active, inclusive, and creative in their strategies. She highlighted how crucial teamwork and ongoing learning are in this field. Caitlin emphasized that innovation combines tech know-how with forward-thinking and strength against new challenges. Her message was clear: professionals should not only guard against dangers but also help build a safer digital world.

Fabio Ardossi

Fabio explained that while AI technology has reached a high level of maturity, enabling it to surpass numerous human capabilities, there is a significant gap in its adoption due to a lack of trust.

Fabio also explained that the advancement and enthusiastic embrace of AI have overshadowed the essential need to create trust and secure understanding among users. He pointed out that without a foundation of trust, AI innovation risks being seen as soulless—a technological achievement devoid of ethical responsibility.

To address this trust deficit, Fabio proposed a reimagining of how AI is structured and integrated into society. He outlined three key areas for development:

1. Identification: Clarifying what AI truly is and dispelling myths and misconceptions around its capabilities and limitations.

2. Recognition: Demonstrating how AI can be a beneficial tool in addressing real-world problems and improving lives.

3. Inclusion: Ensuring AI aligns with human values and purposes

Fabio called for a shift from merely technological enthusiasm to a more balanced approach where ethical considerations and human values are embedded into AI development and deployment. 

Areiel Wolanow

Sounded the Q-Day alarm with a gripping look at quantum threats and how companies can stay future-ready.

His speech, filled with insights from his extensive experience in both technology and strategic consulting, offered a stark reminder of the rapidly advancing world of quantum computing and the cybersecurity challenges it brings.

Areiel highlighted that while quantum computing holds the potential to revolutionize industries with its unparalleled processing power, it also poses significant risks to current encryption methods, potentially rendering them obsolete. This "Q-Day" scenario—where quantum computers break widely used cryptographic protocols.

He urged companies to future-proof their operations by investing in quantum-resistant technologies and prioritizing strategic foresight. Areiel emphasized the importance of staying ahead of these looming threats to safeguard data integrity and privacy in a quantum world. His call to action was clear: proactive preparation and innovation are crucial to navigating and mitigating the challenges presented by quantum advancements.

Prof. Dr. Gabriele Pao-Pei Andreoli

Prof. Andreoli delivered an enlightening presentation that invited us to rediscover the fundamental meanings behind two key concepts: resilience and sustainability. Prof. Andreoli guided us through a linguistic and philosophical exploration that challenged conventional uses of these terms.

He began by dissecting the etymology of "resilience," tracing its roots back to the Latin word "resilire," which means "to leap back." Gabriele emphasized that resilience is far more than mere survival; it's about coming back stronger and more robust than before. It encapsulates the spirit of overcoming adversity with renewed vigor and determination.

On the subject of sustainability, he referenced the Latin term "sustinere," which translates to "to hold from below." This perspective sheds light on sustainability as a concept that transcends superficial optics. It is about creating support systems that are robust enough to withstand pressure without collapsing, ensuring stability and balance.

Prof. Andreoli's central argument was clear: to build better futures, we need to move beyond using resilience and sustainability as buzzwords. Instead, we must ground our designs and innovations in intentional and meaningful frameworks. This approach calls for a shift from using these concepts as marketing tools to deploying them with genuine intent to create lasting impact.

Wayne Harburn

Gave a masterclass on balancing automation with humanity — making the future of work a shared, not stolen, space.

Yesim Engin

Showed how AI can elevate leadership and deepen human relationships — tech with a heart.

Yvonne Mather

Shared how storytelling is the pulse of AI’s future — data needs our humanity to mean something.

Matthew Drinkwater

Gave us fashion tech with flair — proving creativity and AI are a match made in haute heaven.

Ozan Ozsavasci

Ozsavasci's speech was a narrative on the democratizing power of artificial intelligence, weaving together visions of digital transformation and entrepreneurial potential. 

Ozan captured the imagination of his audience by introducing two fictional but relatable figures: Ahmet from Türkiye and Emma from the UK. These fictional founders symbolized a new global reality where geography and socio-economic status no longer dictate the possibilities of success. In this narrative, AI emerges as the ultimate equalizer, providing tools and opportunities to those who are willing to learn and adapt quickly, regardless of their starting point.

He took the audience on a journey through the past few decades:

- The 1990s were marked by success driven largely by socioeconomic factors such as postcode and privilege.

- The 2010s saw the internet breaking barriers, although access to skills and capital often remained out of reach for many.

- In the 2020s, AI presents itself as a wild card, leveling the playing field for those who understand how to harness its potential.

Ozan's message was clear: Success today is determined less by where you come from and more by your ability to learn, adapt, and lead. He challenged the status quo and called for a redefinition of fairness, highlighting that education and adaptability have become the currency in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Bola Asiru

Bola Asiru's speech at AIMS London 2025 was a dynamic narrative, weaving together the evolution of payment systems and the innovative spirit that propels global financial giants like Mastercard. His storytelling prowess transformed a simple anecdote from 1949 into a masterclass on ingenuity and leadership.

He recounted the pivotal moment when Frank McNamara forgot his wallet at dinner—a small slipup that, out of necessity, led to the creation of the charge card concept. This tale served as a powerful metaphor for how everyday problems can lead to groundbreaking solutions when approached with an innovative mindset.

Through his compelling speech, Bola urged the audience to recognize the value of adaptability and quick learning. He also highlighted the role of education and adaptability as the new currency in a world where AI levels the playing field but knowledge and leadership drive success.

Prof. Dr. Anabel Ternès von Hattburg

Anabel Ternès' focused on the role of human-centered design in the development of artificial intelligence. As an advocate for sustainable and ethical innovation, Anabel emphasized the need to align AI advancements with human values and societal needs.

She discussed the importance of creating AI systems that are intuitive, ethical, and culturally sensitive, highlighting that technology should enhance human experiences rather than complicate them. 

Anabel shared insights into designing AI applications that are not only functional but also empathetic and inclusive. 

Liu Liu

Took us on a playful yet profound journey through cultural education via gaming

Liu Liu's speech was an exploration of how gaming can serve as a powerful medium for cultural education. He emphasized that games can do more than entertain; they can also be instrumental in transmitting cultural values, histories, and traditions in a way that is relatable and impactful. 

His approach highlighted the effectiveness of incorporating cultural elements into game design to create serious impact through engagement and interaction. Liu Liu's vision positions gaming as a vital tool for cultural education.

Dr. Britta Simon

Brought a wellness lens to AI in healthcare — asking if emotions are barriers or bridges in tech design.

Dr. Britta Simon's speech focused on how artificial intelligence (AI) and human emotions can work together in healthcare. She highlighted that while AI is greatly improving healthcare by providing better diagnoses and projecting therapy outcomes, there's a potential gap where human emotions and AI could intersect.

Britta emphasized that AI operates in the present, free from the fear-based thinking that often limits humans. In contrast, human decision-making can be stuck in a cycle of past fears and future worries. She pointed out that many healthcare workers face "empathy fatigue," becoming overwhelmed by constant stress and emotional engagement.

To address this, Britta suggested using techniques like HeartMath, which help align the heart and mind, allowing for emotional resilience and genuine compassion. By connecting more deeply with their own emotions, healthcare professionals can collaborate more effectively with AI, fostering better healthcare outcomes.