Hampshire AI - Advancing AI Mobility: The Future of Autonomous Tech

Hampshire AI returns in January 2026 with new ideas and insights!

Join us for our 1 Year Anniversary, for an evening exploring how AI is transforming real-world mobility across land and air. We will be welcoming Edward Anastassacos, Head of Data & AI at SkyBound, who will discuss how AI is powering the next generation of small operational drones, transforming aerial data into structured, actionable insights through automated scene transcription and intelligent information extraction.

We’ll also be joined by Dirk Gorissen, Product Innovation Lead at Wayve Technologies, who will share how Wayve is reimagining autonomous vehicles - not through hard-coded rules, but by teaching AI to drive through real-world experience. Dirk will uncover why AV2.0 is a breakthrough, how end-to-end learning enables vehicles to understand complex environments at scale, and what it takes to build truly intelligent, self-learning cars.

Discover how AI is enabling intelligent systems that learn, adapt, and act - from autonomous cars on the road to drones supporting critical missions.

About Edward

Edward Anastassacos is a technology leader specialising in data science, artificial intelligence, and autonomous systems, currently serving as Head of Data & AI at Skybound. He leads data strategy and AI initiatives, working at the intersection of machine learning, autonomy engineering, and operational analytics. He is involved in advancing practical AI applications that support autonomous decision-making and high-impact systems, including autonomous drones and related technologies.

About Dirk

Dirk Gorissen is Product Innovation Lead at Wayve, the pioneer of Autonomous Vehicle 2.0 - an approach that uses end-to-end AI to literally learn how to drive. With over 15 years in AI, robotics, and product leadership, Dirk has helped advance autonomy from drones to full-scale vehicles. Beyond self-driving, he is passionate about applying technology to global challenges in conservation, international development, and social and environmental impact. A long-time advocate for STEM education and outreach, Dirk is committed to using AI not just to move people, but to make a meaningful difference in the world.

There will be the chance for networking before and after our panel discussion. Bringing together leading voices from industry and applied AI, this event will explore the opportunities, challenges, and future potential of autonomous systems - and what smarter, more effective mobility powered by AI means for real-world impact.

Register now for this free event!

Info: We will explore how drone technology is transforming aerial data into actionable intelligence. From automated scene transcription to intelligent information extraction, learn how raw footage becomes structured insights to support faster, smarter decision-making across industries.

Info: Wayve is reimagining how autonomous vehicles are built - not by hard-coding rules, but by teaching an AI to drive through experience. In this talk, Dirk Gorissen explores what makes AV2.0 a breakthrough: how end-to-end learning systems are enabling vehicles to understand complex, dynamic environments in a way that scales globally. From the foundations of embodied AI to the challenges of safety, data, and real-world deployment, Dirk will share how Wayve, a world leader in this new paradigm, is charting the course toward truly intelligent, self-learning vehicles.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Axis Conference Centre, 3 Venture Road, Southampton, United Kingdom

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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