The conference will be held on Wednesday 5 June in Basingstoke and will bring together Science and Technology, procurement and the end user communities and will showcase examples of how AI is being used to tackle Defence and Security Challenges. Speakers from MOD and key external partners will be providing a range of perspectives using real case studies to illustrate the successes and challenges of delivering AI into operational use. In addition, suppliers from industry, academia and subject matter experts are invited to the event to showcase the very latest AI technology and capabilities they have to offer.

Dr Steven Meers, Dstl’s Head of AI Lab, said:

AI is one of the most exciting and rapidly developing areas of Science and Technology. Understanding how to responsibly exploit the benefits, but also how to counter the threats presented by AI is a critical issue for the Defence and Security community; this is an area where we need to ensure we are working closely with our suppliers both in industry and academia.

By broadening our supply base we will improve access to the best AI solutions for Defence and Security. There will be a lot to see at the event, including a large exhibition area with demonstrations and stands hosted by a wide variety of suppliers from academia, SMEs and larger defence contractors.

The event is expected to attract more than 400 attendees including military end users, MOD capability planners and acquisition staff, as well as Dstl scientists and engineers along with international partners. AI Fest is a great opportunity for the community to understand better how to adopt AI in a manner that makes us all safer and more secure.

The conference is set to run in two halves, the morning session forming the main conference session with a number of presentations to all government attendees. The afternoon session will be broken out into eight separate syndicates to cover a wide variety of topics at greater depth – attendees will be signing up to these in advance of the conference.

Throughout the lunch interval attendees will explore the supplier exhibition area, which will remain open during the afternoon syndicate session slots.

To register your interest or to take part in the event as a supplier, contact the AI lab team at ai_lab@dstl.gov.uk Closing date Thursday 18 April.

Kristian Bailey has had his sentence increased following the Solicitor General’s Unduly Lenient Sentence referral.

Kristian Bailey has had his sentence increased following the Solicitor General’s Unduly Lenient Sentence referral.

28-year-old Kristian Bailey – convicted of manslaughter in January 2019 after stabbing an acquaintance during a fight – has today had his sentence increased from 6 years to 8 years in prison after Solicitor General Robert Buckland QC MP referred it for being too low.

On the evening of 14 July 2018 Bailey stabbed victim Joe Jennings 5 times with a 13cm blade, inflicting a fatal wound to his heart, after a fight broke out while the two were sharing heroin.

27 years old at the time, Bailey fled the scene before disposing of the knife. Mr Jennings died at the scene. Witnesses noted that Mr Jennings hit Bailey with a wooden statue with sufficient force that it broke. Though it remains unclear how the fight started, or which of the two was the first to use a weapon, witnesses agreed that the fight was over in a matter of seconds.

Bailey was found guilty of manslaughter at Bristol Crown Court on 23 January 2019.

Speaking after the hearing, the Solicitor General said:

“Taking into account the seriousness of this offending, increasing the length of the sentence was necessary for justice to be done. I am pleased the Court of Appeal agreed and I hope that this brings some comfort to the victim’s family.”

Community groups benefit from community funding pot