The Rt Hon. Grant Shapps

Grant Shapps, a seasoned British politician, has held pivotal roles that underscore his deep expertise in governance, innovation, and leadership. Since being elected as the Member of Parliament for Welwyn Hatfield in 2005, Grant has steadily climbed the political ladder, influencing key areas of UK policy. His early career included positions such as Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning and Minister of State for Housing and Local Government. These roles highlighted his ability to navigate complex policy environments, laying a foundation for his later responsibilities. By 2012, Grant became Chairman of the Conservative Party, demonstrating his strategic acumen and leadership within the party.

Grant’s ministerial career is marked by a series of high-profile appointments across diverse sectors. As Secretary of State for Transport in 2019, he spearheaded initiatives like the Active Travel Fund, emphasising sustainability and innovation. Subsequent roles, including Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and Secretary of State for Energy Security & Net Zero, positioned him at the forefront of the UK’s energy transition. These positions required a keen understanding of emerging technologies, particularly in shaping policies around green energy and innovation.

In 2023, Grant assumed the role of Secretary of State for Defence, a position that has uniquely amplified his expertise in artificial intelligence. Within this role, Grant oversaw the integration of AI technologies in national defence, exploring applications from automating logistics to enhancing predictive analytics in threat detection. His engagement with AI in this context has deepened his understanding of its transformative potential across industries, making him a sought-after keynote speaker on the subject.

Grant’s keynote speech, “AI Will Either Transform Your Business or Close It” draws on his firsthand experience with AI at the government level. He unpacks key frameworks like machine learning and natural language processing, illustrating how businesses can harness AI to drive innovation, streamline operations, and foster ethical adoption. By blending his political insights with a forward-thinking approach to AI, Grant Shapps equips audiences with the tools to unlock AI’s potential while navigating its ethical and regulatory complexities.