A series of lunchtime discussions with Ministers across government and leaders from the worlds of business, technology and policy, hosted by the Resolution Foundation Monday 21 – Thursday 24 May, Resolution Foundation offices, St James’ Park Raising productivity lies at the heart of our living standards and wider economic prospects. But finding the right levers to boost productivity is far from straightforward, not least as the global economic environment that Britain operates in is constantly changing. As part of its drive to boost productivity, the Government’s Industrial Strategy has identified four Grand Challenges – Artificial Intelligence & Data, Clean Growth, Future of Mobility and the Ageing Society – which will shape Britain’s economy and our prospects for prosperity over the coming years and decades. The Resolution Foundation hosted a series of lunchtime events to debate these Grand Challenges and explore how government, other policy makers, businesses and wider society should respond to and take advantage of the changes that they will bring to our economy. We looked to highlight the discussion around the grand challenges, and use these events as an opportunity to develop the wider conversations shaping their future. Each discussion was chaired by Lord Willetts, Executive Chair of the Resolution Foundation, and they included contributions from government Ministers across Whitehall, business leaders and leading experts in their field. Details about each individual event are below. The Future of Mobility, Monday 21 May – 1-2pm (doors from 12.30pm) The UK is on the cusp of a profound change in how we move people, goods and services around our towns, cities and countryside. At this event we discussed how the UK can become a world leader in shaping the future of mobility. This will include: how our road and rail network can dramatically reduce carbon emissions and other pollutants; how we can improve the available and access to mobility; and, how we can drive the innovations in engineering and technology that are set to shape the future of mobility. Event speakers Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport Jesse Norman MP George Hazel, MaaS Scotland Toby Poston, BVRLA Lucy Yu, Director of Public Policy at FiveAI Event video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp2VJ3bqcc0 Artificial Intelligence, Tuesday 22 May – 1.15-2.15pm (doors from 12.30pm) Artificial intelligence is already starting to transform the global economy. At this event we discussed how they can be used create thousands of good quality jobs and drive economic growth. This included: how business models could be transformed by AI; and, how we can both drive and respond to this change, particularly in regard to labour market shifts. Event speakers Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation Sam Gyimah MP Minister for Digital and the Creative Industries Margot James MP Tabitha Goldstaub, Cognition X Marc Warner ASI Data Event video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hbia3oNFzE8 Ageing Society, Wednesday 23 May – 1-2pm (doors from 12.30pm) The UK population is ageing, as it is across the industrialised world. Rising longevity is something to celebrate, but it also requires people to plan their careers and retirement differently, and will create new demands new for technologies, products and services. At this event we discussed how to create an economy which works for everyone, regardless of age. Event speakers Minister of State for Care Caroline Dinenage MP Professor Jeremy Myerson, Royal College of Art Anna Dixon, CEO of Ageing Better Professor Sarah Harper, Oxford Institute of Population Ageing Event video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KRxqYp9T7M Clean Growth, Thursday 24 May – 1-2pm (doors from 12.30pm) The move to cleaner economic growth – through low carbon technologies and the efficient use of resources – is one of the greatest industrial opportunities of our time. At this event we discussed how the UK cam maximise the advantages of making this shift, including being a world leader in both the development and manufacture of new low carbon technologies, and the provision of new low-carbon services. Event speakers Minister of State for Energy and Clean Growth, Claire Perry MP Julie Hirigoyen, CEO of UKGBC Nick Molho, Aldersgate Group Emma Howard Boyd, Environment Agency Chair Event video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB6c7WoxFio
