A prestigious keynote exploring how intentionally designed human-AI collaboration can shape the future of scientific research
Digital Futures is proud to present the Inaugural Manchester Turing Lecture, a distinguished new lecture that brings internationally renowned leaders in research, innovation and technology to Manchester.
We are honoured to welcome Prof Sir Bashir M. Al-Hashimi CBE FRS FREng, one of the world's leading engineers, academic leaders and entrepreneurs. Sir Bashir serves as Senior Vice President (Research & Special Initiatives) at King's College London and is internationally recognised for his pioneering contributions to computer engineering, energy-efficient computing and technological innovation. His research has influenced technologies embedded in billions of digital devices worldwide.
Updated Talk Title: The Future of Scientific Research: Intentionally Designed Human - AI Collaboration - A Personal Perspective
Artificial intelligence is transforming every stage of the scientific research workflow, from literature reviews to idea and hypothesis generation, experimentation, analysis, and the communication of findings. As AI capabilities continue to advance, the research community faces a choice: respond reactively to this transformation or intentionally design how AI and human researchers collaborate to advance science responsibly.
Drawing on personal experience as a researcher, supervisor, and research leader, this keynote proposes a framework for intentionally designed human–AI collaboration. Rather than presenting a definitive answer, it aims to stimulate debate on how best to design human–AI collaboration that accelerates scientific discovery while educating and training the next generation of researchers. Built around a set of observations from research practice, it explores how AI is reshaping research, including changes to PhD supervision, the development of domain expertise in the era of large language models, and two-way collaboration in which humans critically evaluate and validate AI-generated outputs, while AI serves as a sense-checker and constructive challenger of human ideas, experimental designs, and conclusions.
The keynote will also address the growing number of AI-assisted papers and the resulting challenges for the integrity of the scientific literature, arguing that detection tools alone will not be sufficient to safeguard research quality. Instead, it argues that AI can strengthen research, but humans must remain accountable. Maintaining research quality and advancing knowledge will depend on appropriate incentives, a strong research culture, and responsible leadership.
The Manchester Turing Lecture aims to inspire dialogue across disciplines and sectors by showcasing exceptional thinkers whose work is shaping the future of society. In this inaugural lecture, Sir Bashir will offer insights drawn from a distinguished career spanning world-leading research, academic leadership, industry collaboration and national policy.
Speaker Biography:
Professor Sir Bashir M. Al-Hashimi CBE FREng FRS
Senior Vice President (Research & Special Initiatives) King’s College London
ARM Professor of Computer Engineering
Sir Bashir M. Al-Hashimi is a distinguished Professor of Engineering, academic leader and entrepreneur. He is currently Senior Vice President for Research and Special Initiatives at King’s College London, holds the Arm Professorship of Computer Engineering (since 2007) and is Co-Director of the King’s Institute for Artificial Intelligence. His work into hardware–software co-design and energy-efficient computing has shaped modern digital technologies, with innovations used in billions of smartphones worldwide.
He was knighted by HM King Charles III in 2025 for exceptional leadership in Engineering and Education and was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by HM Queen Elizabeth II in 2018 for his contributions to research and innovation. Elected Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS), the Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng), the European Academy of Sciences and Arts and the Academia Europaea, Sir Bashir is a highly cited researcher with 400 publications, eight books and 52 supervised PhDs. His honours include the IET Faraday Medal (2020) and the IEEE–HKN Asad M. Madni Outstanding Technical Achievement and Excellence Award (2025). In November 2025, Sir Bashir launched at the House of Lords the final report and recommendations of the UK Future Engineering Skills national project (Engineers 203) to help shape the future of UK engineering education and skills, which he led on behalf of the Royal Academy of Engineering. He chairs the Academy’s International Committee, representing the UK engineering profession amongst other national engineering academies. Previously, he has served as the Executive Dean of three Engineering and Physical Sciences faculties (2014-2020) at both University of Southampton and King’s College London.
He remains committed more widely to advancing skills, higher education and the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence in research and learning, contributing to national and international debates on the future of scientific discovery and the role of AI.
This special event provides a unique opportunity for researchers, students, industry professionals, policymakers and members of the wider community to engage with one of the UK's most influential voices in engineering and innovation.
Join us for an afternoon of insight, inspiration and discussion as we launch a new tradition of intellectual excellence at The University of Manchester.
About Digital Futures:
Digital Futures is a highly interdisciplinary network that operates across the whole range of the University’s digital research. We aim to present a coherent overview of The University of Manchester's digital research activity to external stakeholders and bring together research communities to explore new research areas and address strategic opportunities.
Connect with us:
Blue Sky: bsky.app/profile/digitaluom.bsky.social
Linkedin: linkedin.com/showcase/digital-futures-at-the-university-of-manchester
Website: digitalfutures.manchester.ac.uk
Newsletter: tinyurl.com/digitalfuturesuom
