Innovation Forum

‘In the Studio With Zao: Innovation Forum’ is a series of in-person conference format learning and networking events led by Studio Zao showcasing our expertise in productive innovation with advice on how to get the most out of your innovation efforts.

AI and Innovation in the Public Sector

As technology reshapes the world, the public sector has a unique opportunity to drive transformative change through AI-powered innovation. From predictive healthcare analytics to AI-enhanced public services, the potential for growth, efficiency, and social impact is vast—but so are the challenges. In this Studio Zao Quarterly Innovation Forum, our panel explored strategies for integrating AI into public sector operations, ensuring innovation is smart, equitable, and sustainable.

Our speakers included:

  • Rob Anderson – Director of Research and Policy, Centre for London

  • Mallory Durran – Interim Director, Incubator for AI, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology; Director of Applied Research and Innovation, NESTA

  • Ali Salaman – Head of Engineering, Caution Your Blast

Data-Backed Innovation: Unlocking Value from Regeneration and Assets

In a rapidly evolving world, underutilised assets like dormant real estate, vacant retail spaces, and idle infrastructure hold untapped potential. In this session, we explored how data-backed innovation can unlock new value in regeneration and asset management. With insights from industry leaders across real estate, urban planning, and physical activity sectors, participants discussed some insights that warrant further exploration in future sessions.

Our speakers included:

  • Head of ESG, Oxygen Asset Management, Amber Luscombe

  • Strategic Lead, Active Environments, London Sport, Chris Donkin

  • Portfolio Manager, Places for London (TfL), Lal Bahadur

GenAI: Opportunities in Climate and Sustainability

Generative AI is revolutionising industries with its innovative capabilities, and the traditionally conservative real estate sector and built environment is no exception. In this session, we discussed how GenAI can shape the real estate industry for a more sustainable future. 

Our speakers included:

  • Climate Partnership Manager of the London Borough of Sutton, Luan Baptista Ribeiro, 

  • AI expert and entrepreneur, Andrew Grant

  • and CEO and Co-founder of Mortar IO, Ranjeet Bhalerao.

Customer Discovery: Second Home

In this session, we explored how identifying and understanding customer needs can drive the ideation stage for innovators. We discussed the ins and outs of conducting customer discovery interviews, with examples from successful organisations and case studies from our clients.

AI and the Future of Work

As Artificial Intelligence increases efficiency and improves our lives, there are concerns that it may also substitute some work activities humans currently perform. In this session, we partnered to discuss how the future of work will look like after the AI revolution.

Our speakers included:

  • Teresa Kotlicka: HR Director at Sony Music, 

  • Christoph Auer-Welsbach: Partner at IBM Ventures and Founder of the global network City.AI

Corporate Entrepreneurs Community

The corporate entrepreneur’s community consisted of 7 sessions where we got together intrapreneurs and innovators to explore how they can know exactly where and how to start with new ideas to get the necessary buy-in. We discussed how systematically entrepreneurial teams that work and think as a startup can be adapted for a large organisation environment to drive corporate innovation.

Do you want to join the next event?

Let us know whether you are interested in joining future sessions and become part of our community of innovators.