Bayes Business School Alumni Forum explores challenges and opportunities of innovation

The third annual Bayes Business School Alumni Forum shed light on how people and businesses are using artificial intelligence (AI) and new technologies to innovate and stay ahead in a range of industries.

More than 100 alumni spanning 50 years convened with current students and staff for a day of networking, keynote talks and insightful debate with Bayes experts on the topic of ‘Reasoning with Uncertainty: Innovation and Technology in Business’.

The day kicked off with two masterclasses led by Laura Raznick, Head of MBA Careers at Bayes on enhancing professional visibility to grow a personal brand, and Dr Mara Guerra, Senior Lecturer in Strategy, on the dynamics and strategies of new industry market entry.

Following a formal welcome from Professor Barbara Casu, Deputy Dean (Faculty and Research) at Bayes, Carmel McConnell MBE (MBA, 1993) delivered an inspiring opening keynote about the importance of social activism in shaping positive integration of AI into business and everyday life.

Breakout sessions then explored AI transformation through lenses of different academic disciplines. Janina Steinmetz, Professor of Marketing presented ways in which people often use unsuccessful strategies to promote themselves at work in everyday conversation, with lessons on how to avoid bragging. This was followed by talks from Professor Scott Moeller, Director of the M&A Research Centre, and Dr Anna Faelten (EMBA, 2011), co-authors of The Deal Paradox (Kogan Page, 2023), on the impact AI is having on global deal-making processes.

At the same time, a second breakout session included lectures on implementing innovation into strategies for growth, delivered by Dr Manto Gotsi, Senior Lecturer in Marketing, Daria Zlobina (MSc Marketing, Strategy and Innovation, 2018) and John Paul Danaee (MSc Finance & Investment 2013). The second breakout also featured a panel discussion with Dr Zsofia Kraussl, Senior Lecturer in Finance and Technology, and Adam Kalinski (MSc Finance, 2022), who discussed tokenisation and the impact of ‘on-chain’ institutional finance amid the rise of digital currencies.

Each breakout included alumni roundtables, hosted by James Cartwright (EMBA, 2014) on career pivots, and Laks Alagappan (EMBA, 2015) on successfully scaling AI.

Further afternoon sessions spanned the building of resilient supply chains in geopolitical uncertainty, led by Dr Florian Lücker, Reader in Supply Chain Management and Jessica Da Rui Labrecciosa (BSc Business Management, 2023), and the benefits and drawbacks of using AI to assess risk in insurance from Dr Simone Krummaker, Associate Professor of Insurance and Andreas Tsanakas, Professor of Risk Management.

The day closed with a second keynote speech from Andrea Baronchelli, Professor of Complexity Science at City St George's. Professor Baronchelli presented his research insights into how interactions between artificial agents can generate shared conventions, collective biases, and stable forms of coordination without central control. His work suggests the emergence of ‘AI societies’ of large language models (LLMs) and their behaviour spanning social media, online coordination, and AI populations.

The evening saw an exclusive drinks reception at the prestigious Armourers’ Hall in the Square Mile, home of The Armourers & Brasiers' Company.

Helen Nicholson, Head of Bayes Alumni Relations, said:

“It was wonderful to see a mix of familiar and new faces for a successful third instalment of our Alumni Forum.

“The event brings together several generations of the Bayes alumni for a day of reconnection with former peers, professional networking and vibrant discussion and on the most pertinent topics affecting the business world today.

“Tech and AI are shaping careers, operations, global dealmaking and entrepreneurship. The day provided a platform for l alumni and faculty to explore insights and practice together.

"It is also a wonderful opportunity for alumni to meet our current students, opening doors for future members of our worldwide community.”

Bayes alumni have access to a range of resources, including further study, global networking opportunities and award-winning careers support. Furthermore, all alumni card holders have exclusive access to a lounge on the 7^th Floor of the Finsbury Square Building for meetings and study resources.

The lounge is open from 8am to 10pm on weekdays and 8am to 6pm at weekends

Learn more about the Bayes Alumni community and register for upcoming events.