The University of Bath welcomed one of the world's most influential digital leaders, Dr Jacky Wright, to Bath on Wednesday 20 May for the second event in its Adelard series, marking the University's 60th anniversary year.

Taking place at the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution (BRLSI) as part of Bath Digital Festival, 'Riding the next wave of digital innovation' brought together local community members with technology and business leaders for a wide-ranging conversation on the forces reshaping our digital world.

In conversation with Professor Rachid Hourizi MBE, Director of the national Institute of Coding which is based at the University, Jacky, a Bath Honorary Graduate, traced the arc of technological change from the early days of computing to today's AI revolution, and looked ahead to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

Entrepreneurial thinking

Drawing on a career spanning some of the most senior roles for the world's most influential organisations, the conversation explored how the role of technology and technologists has evolved, moving from a function that supports business to one that actively shapes strategy, culture and innovation.

Together, Jacky and Rachid also examined what it means to succeed in an AI-supported world: which skills and mindsets matter most, how universities, local companies and professionals can prepare for continual technological change, and the responsibilities universities carry as creators of innovation, educators and gateways to opportunity.

At the heart of the discussion and audience Q&A was a shared question: how do we ensure technological progress creates opportunity for everyone? From developing AI systems that work for society to widening access to digital careers, Jacky's reflections offered a bold, positive and inclusive vision of our digital futures.

Commenting, she said: "Academia has always been the connective tissue between possibility and progress. When universities, industry, government, and communities come together around a shared vision, they build the ecosystems that make adoption of human-centered technology truly possible.

"The Digital Festival not only engendered this powerful demonstration of collaboration but also showcased the art of what is possible with the many innovations that have resulted."

Professor Phil Taylor, Vice-Chancellor and President, who opened and closed the event, said: "Jacky Wright is one of the world's most compelling voices on digital leadership, a pioneer who has driven transformation at the highest level and who consistently uses that platform to champion a more equitable and inclusive technology sector.

“Her visit to Bath for our 60th anniversary Adelard series was a masterclass in what it looks like to lead with purpose and a powerful reminder of why conversations like this one matter, for our students, for our community and region, and for the wider world."

A wider Bath visit

Earlier in the day, Jacky's visit began at the Bath Digital Festival 2026 showcase, where she met students, researchers, innovators and project teams - a vivid illustration of the digital creativity and innovation the festival brings to the city.

Lucy Paine, University of Bath Entrepreneur-in-Residence and Bath Digital Festival Curator, explained: "Welcoming Jacky into Bath Digital Festival as part of the Adelard series was a real privilege. Her warmth, curiosity and energy brought something very special to this year’s programme, and the way she connected with students, researchers, businesses and the wider festival community felt completely in tune with the spirit of the Festival.

"She brought real generosity to the conversation, helping make the event a brilliant meeting point between global digital leadership and the creative, ambitious technology community we’re building across Bath and the wider South West."

From there, Jacky made her way to campus, where she met digital researchers in a conversation led by Professor Emma Carmel, before touring CAMERA, the University's world-leading motion capture and computer vision facility, whose work is shaping fields from healthcare to the creative industries.

The tour also included time with colleagues leading the University's work on climate change, sustainability and education, an area close to Jacky's heart.

Over lunch, Jacky was joined by students, researchers and professional services colleagues from Bath's Black community, in a conversation led by Dr Teslim Bukoye, who leads the University's Race Equality Charter work.

The discussion brought the event's themes of inclusion and opportunity to life and reflected a shared ambition to do more in this space. Campus Services marked the occasion with a specially curated menu drawing on flavours from the African Caribbean Society's No Plates Like Home initiative.

Continuing the conversation

Jacky's visit extended into a second day, beginning with a filmed conversation for the University's social media channels with Ethan Donkor, a Gold Scholar and final-year Chemical Engineering student turned AI entrepreneur, and a programme Jacky actively supports. The conversation explored AI, digital futures, skills and inclusion.

Finally, she joined a roundtable at BRLSI facilitated by the Institute of Coding, bringing together regional business leaders for a frank discussion on the barriers to AI adoption and the skills agenda that will define the years ahead.

Professor Rachid Hourizi added: "Jacky is one of the world's leading voices on digital innovation, and it was an exceptional opportunity to welcome her to Bath for a conversation on the opportunities and challenges shaping the next wave of technological change.

“Events like this underline the University's role in convening business, industry and civil society to explore the profound questions emerging from the digital revolution and AI - what they mean for all of us, and how best to respond."

Looking ahead

The third Adelard event takes place on Thursday 25 June at Bath Abbey, where architect of the UN Paris Agreement Christiana Figueres will be in conversation with Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Phil Taylor, exploring intergenerational fairness and equipping the next generation with the skills and capabilities to meet the challenges ahead.

The Adelard series is delivered in partnership with the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, Bath Festivals and Bath Digital Festival, with support from the EPSRC and ESRC Impact Acceleration Accounts.