The International Olympic Academy

Back to the International Olympic Academy again to speak to the next generation of Olympic athletes and leaders at the 65th Young Olympic Ambassadors Session. 


We have opening lectures in Athens with IOC President Thomas Bach who steps down from his role on Olympic Day, 23rd June. 


This may well be his last IOA ceremony and our theme for the session is artificial intelligence. 


What a way to finish, ushering in a new era of Olympic sport, where technology is at the heart of all primary strategic objectives.


From the Olympic Esports Games to the Olympic AI Agenda, not to mention securing the Games and the welfare of athletes, AI is the great hope and the Olympic are the world's most accomplished innovators.  


With Intel, Samsung, Alibaba, and many more partnerships, the end of 20th Century television is less of a problem now than it was 5 years ago. 


My first talk on virtual realities and the digital future of the Olympic Games was given in Lausanne in 2001 and I'm really pleased to have published an article for the IOC Essential collection looking ahead to the next 20 years. 


You can download it here

https://library.olympics.com/Default/essential-readings.aspx

New role with the DCMS

New role with the DCMS

I’m really excited to share that I’ve been appointed to the UK Government’s Department for Culture, Media, and Sport College of Experts, which is designed to help drive evidence led policy decision making . It’s a really challenging time for the world right now, with technology transforming some of the fundamental pillars of creativity. I’m sure a lot of our time will be spent talking about artificial intelligence, but there’s so much more change occurring, all of which needs good data to understand.

Here’s the full rosta:

  • Prof Marian Ursu - Professor of Digital Creativity, University of York

  • Prof Sarita Malik - Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor Research Impact, Professor of Media and Culture, Brunel University of London.

  • Prof Sarah Mills - Professor of Human Geography, Loughborough University

  • Dr Susan Oman - Senior Lecturer in Data, AI & Society, University of Sheffield

  • Prof Paul Downward – Professor of Economics, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University

  • Prof Edgar A. Whitley - Department of Management, London School of Economics and Political Science

  • Dr. Nicola Searle - Reader, Goldsmiths, University of London

  • Dr Matt Walsh - Head of the School of Journalism, Media and Culture, Cardiff University.

  • Prof Beth Johnson - Professor of Television and Media Studies at the University of Leeds

  • Prof Carola Boehm - Professor of Arts and Higher Education, C3 Centre for Creative Industries and Creative Communities, University of Staffordshire

  • Prof Gerda Reith - Professor of Social Science, University of Glasgow

  • Dr. Irini Katsirea - Reader in International Media Law, University of Sheffield

  • Prof Katy Shaw - Director AHRC Creative Communities programme, Director of University Cultural Partnerships and Professor of Writing and Publishing at Northumbria University

  • Prof Athina Karatzogianni - Professor of Technology and Society, School of Sociology, Criminology, and Social Policy, University of Leicester

  • Prof Daisy Fancourt - Professor of Psychobiology & Epidemiology

  • Prof Catherine Johnson - Professor of Media and Communication, University of Leeds

  • Prof Sandra Leaton Gray - Professor of Education Futures, UCL Institute of Education

  • Prof Stephanie Pitts - Professor of Music Education, University of Sheffield; Director, Sheffield Performer and Audience Research Centre

  • Prof Catherine Tackley - Professor of Music, University of Liverpool

  • Prof  Simeon Yates - Professor of Digital Culture, Department of Communication and Media, Co-Director Digital Media and Society Institute, University of Liverpool.

  • Dr Leandro Valiati - Senior Lecturer in Creative and Cultural Industries, University of Manchester

  • Dr Rachel Sandford - Reader in Physical Education, Youth and Social Justice, Loughborough University

  • Mr Mark Scott - Research Fellow, University of Warwick, Warwick Business School

  • Prof Agnes Nairn - Chair of Marketing, University of Bristol Business School and Co-Director, Bristol Hub for Gambling Harms Research, University of Bristol

  • Prof Pete Etchells - Bath Spa University

  • Prof Andy Miah - Chair of Science Communication & Future Media, University of Salford

  • Prof Einar Thorsen - Executive Dean and Professor of Journalism and Communication, Bournemouth University

  • Prof Helen Wood - Professor of Media and Cultural Studies, University of Aston, Birmingham

  • Prof Rebecca Madgin - Professor of Urban Studies, Division of Urban Studies and Social Policy, University of Glasgow.

  • Prof Dan Ashton - Professor of Cultural and Creative Industries, University of Southampton

  • Prof Kalina Bontcheva - Professor of Text Analytics,  School of Computer Science, the University of Sheffield

  • Ghislaine Boddington - Creative Director, BDS Creative Ltd / Reader in Digital Immersion, University of Greenwich

  • Prof Jonathan Freeman BSc MPhil PhD CPsychol AFBPS MMRS FRSA - Director, CoSTAR Foresight Lab, Academic Lead Knowledge Exchange, Goldsmiths University of London, Managing Director, i2 media research ltd, Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London

  • Prof Angus Hunter - Professor and Head of Sports Sciences at Nottingham Trent University

  • Dr Oonagh Murphy - Senior Lecturer in Digital Culture and Society, Goldsmiths

  • Dr Amy Orben - Programme Leader Track Scientist, MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge

  • Dr Mark Taylor - Senior Lecturer in Quantitative Methods, University of Sheffield

  • Prof Ben Walmsley - Dean of Cultural Engagement, University of Leeds; Associate Director for Policy, Centre for Cultural Value

  • Naomi Muggleton - Assistant Professor, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick

  • David Zendle - Director, Smart Data Donation Service

  • Dr Carolyn Downs - Senior Lecturer Lancaster University.

  • Dr. Josep Grau-Bové - Director, Institute for Sustainable Heritage

  • Mr Stuart William Morris, LVO DL

  • Prof Andrew K. Przybylski - Professor of Human Behaviour and Technology, University of Oxford

  • Prof Lucy Kimbell - Professor of Contemporary Design Practices, Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London

  • Dr Orian Brook - Chancellor’s Fellow in Social Policy

  • Prof Marco Cinnirella - Professor of Applied Social Psychology

  • Prof Rowan Cruft - Professor of Philosophy, University of Stirling

  • Prof Katharine Dommett - Professor of Digital Politics, University of Sheffield

  • Dr Michael Evans, Research Lead - Human-Computer Interaction, BBC Research and Development

  • Prof Ewa Luger - Personal Chair of Human-Data Interaction 

  • Prof Adrian Palmer - Professor of Marketing, Head of Department of Marketing & Reputation, University of Reading

  • Professor Jonathan Sapsed - Chair of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

  • Stephen Smith - Higher Psychologist College of Policing, Chief Psychologist, Sport Psychology Ltd

  • Professor Melissa Terras MBE FREng, Professor of Digital Cultural Heritage, Design Informatics, Edinburgh College of Art, University of Edinburgh.

  • Andrew Laird - Chief Executive, Mutual Venture

  • Prof Lizzie Coles-Kemp - Professor of Information Security

  • Sarah Ellis - Director of Creative Innovation, Royal Shakespeare Company

Future Tense on Audible

Future Tense on Audible

It was an absolute privilege to work with Warwick Davis and Richard Ayoade on this new podcast commissioned by Audible/ My se-Audiobook/B0FBMH1L3H. Looking forward to hearing it!

Thanks to Jedi News for this summary of the series: https://www.jedinews.com/film-music-tv/articles/future-tense-podcast-with-richard-ayoade-and-warwick-davis-available-now-on-audible/

"Audible has announced the launch of a new comedy podcast, Future Tense, with the determinedly pessimistic Richard Ayoade and inexplicably cheerful Warwick Davis, ready to interrogate the future we’re all being told to look forward to across six fun filled episodes.

Reflecting on the podcast, Warwick Davis said “I’m absolutely thrilled to have worked with Richard Ayoade on Audible’s brilliant new podcast series, Future Tense. His brilliantly dry wit was the perfect counterpoint to my optimism and made for a fun, dynamic collaboration, and I learned a lot along the way too.”

Technology promises to save humanity. How’s that working out?

In this comedy-science podcast, comedy legends Richard Ayoade (determinedly pessimistic) and Warwick Davis (inexplicably cheerful) venture beneath Audible HQ to the Future Tense lab, fully equipped to interrogate the future we’re all being told to look forward to.

With help from science wrangler Helen Keen and expert guests providing actual facts (how inconvenient), they try to determine if the likes of self-driving cars, AI relationships, lab-grown meat, and digital immortality are cause for celebration—or another reason to basically just stay underground forever, actually, thanks.

Richard and Warwick bring to the party equal parts naive enthusiasm and sharp scepticism, as well as a healthy dose of sci-fi chops: Warwick having started his career in Return of the Jedi and gone on to star in films and series as diverse as Willow, Harry Potter and Leprechaun; and Richard bringing his no-lesser experience as Ice Cream Cone in Lego Movie 2.

A funny and surprisingly informative journey into a future nobody ordered but everyone will receive…

Episode 1: Robots

Mechanical overlords or helpful household assistants? Our hosts debate whether being replaced by technology is terrifying or merely a welcome retirement plan. And will Richard’s voice being cloned lead to the dismay of both humans and machines? Featuring guests Alan Hayling, Prof. Andy Miah, and Stephen Follows .

Episode 2: Immortality

Would you want to celebrate your 150th birthday? Richard considers the brown bin option for his remains, while Warwick ponders eternal digital replicas. Our experts debate whether fighting ageing is revolutionary or just plainly undignified. Featuring guests Prof. John Tregoning and Prof. Elaine Kasket .

Episode 3: Holidays

Climate change threatens Magaluf, space could be the final frontier of annual leave, and VR promises beach vibes without the sand in uncomfortable places. Will future holidays liberate us, or just make Richard even more reluctant to leave his flat? Featuring guests Simon Calder and Maggie Aderin

Episode 4: Food

Cricket cookies, lab-grown chicken, and meals in pill form face our hosts’ scrutiny. Warwick reluctantly samples insects while Richard advocates for a future where eating becomes entirely optional. Featuring guests James Collier and Tom Cheesewright .

Episode 5: Cars

Warwick embraces a future where vehicles drive themselves, while Richard questions whether civilisation peaked with the penny-farthing. Self-driving ethics, laser headlights, and the alarming prospect of polite British AI traffic jams. Featuring guests Suze Kundu and Jon Bentley.

Episode 6: Relationships

AI companions promise perfect partners who never forget birthdays or finish the milk. Richard probes into whether a digital companion might solve (his) age-old problem of completely avoiding humans, while Warwick wonders if robots might finally appreciate his anecdotes. Featuring guests Prof. Nigel Crook and Dr. James Muldoon"

EA Sports FC eChampions League

EA Sports FC eChampions League

What a fantastic priviege to film a promo at this tournmanet, which took place in the Bock10- studios of MediaCity! Such a great showcase

MITIH x CDI Showcase

MITIH x CDI Showcase

Marking the end of the first phase of the MediaCity Immersive Technologies Hub, this showcase was a fantastic celebration of all the work done . Discover more about our next phase on LinkedIn

BETT Global 2025

BETT Global 2025

It was an absolute pleasure to speak about gaming and esports at this year’s BETT, a remarkable event that is a must ofr educators. Here’s the record from British Esports.

Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace

Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace

Last week, I was delighted to give a talk at the Manchester City Council Leadership Summit about how artificial intelligence is changing the workplace.
Here's what I covered...

Neuralink
OpenAI specifically AI operators
Meta FAIR neuroscience
The Paris AI Summit
UK AI Government Playbook
World Economic Forum Future of Work report 2025
Google NotebookLM
HeyGen and AI avatars/influencers
Canva AI

…and the many projects we have in the MediaCity Immersive Technologies Innovation Hub which are experimenting with AI.

So much to discuss and figure out!

My latest publication examines the prospect of neurological implants and how this will affect the way we think about the human computer interface. Podcast episode soon on that...

TEDx University of Salford

TEDx University of Salford

This Saturday, we have the University of Salford TEDx event at Media City. Our theme this year is Seek Higher Things, featuring a fantastic lineup of speakers sharing inspirational stories. The event is sold out in person, but online tickets are still available. Visit our website to get involved.

Safe Sport international - How can the media help safeguard sport?

Safe Sport international - How can the media help safeguard sport?

I was very pleased to speak at the annual meeting of Safe Sport International, focusing on how the media and new forms of media - artificial intelligence and social media - can play a more pivotal role in safeguarding in sports. There’s no way to access the session, but here are the headlines:

  1. the scale of AI in sport is going to create an entirely new content creation / media landscape

  2. There is a need for monitoring and supporting safeguarding training from accredited media at sports events

  3. Citizens at events can be engaged positively to monitor and safeguard using their mobile devices.

The BEYOND Conference

The BEYOND Conference

What a massive event! incredible to have brought this to MediaCity, such a fantastic team effort. Here’s my session from the conference.

Me and My Digital Twin

Me and My Digital Twin

Great to speak with the amazing Dr Ghislaine Boddington for this BBC World documentary!

AI in Immersive Audio

AI in Immersive Audio

Delighted to take part in the KitPlus Show this year, discussing all things tech! Sadly, Emma Young from the BBC couldn’t make it but check out utu.be/A7WRRHm_fMc?si=APCLrTcKjeEa9D2dwhat they do!

The role of AI in Space Exploration

The role of AI in Space Exploration

What can we trust AI to do in Space and will it better our lives back on Earth? 

This was the question we tried to answer for Manchester Science Festival this year! Here was the brief

Take a journey into the unknown with our expert panel and discover how AI could be applied to Space exploration.

Sit down with STEM champion, social entrepreneur and computer scientist, Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE, and the UK Space Agency's Head of Space Exploration, Libby Jackson OBE, as they discuss how their worlds collide in this interactive forum.

Joined by Professor Andy Miah PhD, Chair of Science Communication and Future Media at the University of Salford, our panel explores the endless opportunities of this evolving technology, from rover navigation, satellite design and lasering space junk, to the weather and television communications.

Is the future already here, or are we just talking science fiction?

Future of Media Manchester

Future of Media Manchester

It was a pleasure to speak at the first FoMM event in Manchester at the end of last month, giving a lightning talk on IMMERSIVE INTELLIGENCE. It was a fantastic event, very well organized and massive!

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NotebookLM

NotebookLM

Over the last few months, Google has quietly rolled out NotebookLM, but it’s now going viral. It’s an AI platform, which will take text and turn it into a 2 person podcast.

I’ve launched a Spotify podcast using the platform, which you can subscribe to, but also here is one episode.

BEYOND Conference

BEYOND Conference

We had some very exciting news a couple of months ago, which is that the University of Salford will be the main education partner for the BEYOND Conference in November. You can discover more about it via this blog post I wrote for them recently, focusing on creativity at the Olympic Games.