About this Event
Next Stop: AI. Your practical guide to AI adoption in rail.
In April 2026, rail published its first AI in Rail Action Plan. The message was clear: move beyond isolated pilots and fix the barriers of data, governance and skills. For most organisations the question is now a practical one. How do we get our people using AI safely, with the tools we already have?
EMBS Group and Peak Intelligence bring together the partners who answer that question end to end, in one focused morning at Pride Park Stadium, Derby.
- Microsoft opens with the latest on Microsoft 365 Copilot, AI agents and the wider AI ecosystem
- CWSI shows how to secure and govern Copilot and AI agents at scale
- Peak Intelligence explains how to turn licences into everyday habits across your workforce
- Fishbone Solutions covers the data foundations rail AI depends on
Then it’s your turn. In the Rail AI Basecamp challenge, every table takes one of 20 real rail tasks, from defect trend analysis to possession communications, and uses the DRAFT prompt framework to get a useful answer. Partner experts then test each answer for security, data and governance. Judges score every table, and the winning table takes home a prize.
Tables are mixed, so you’ll work alongside operators, suppliers and consultancies from across the industry. You’ll also meet Qualitrain, our funded learning partner, and ISO QSL, who support ISO 42001, 9001 and 27001 certification.
You’ll leave with:
- A clear view of what Copilot and AI agents can do for rail organisations today
- A simple framework (DRAFT) for getting reliable results from any AI tool
- A checklist for using AI safely: security, data and governance
- Contacts with the partners who can help you secure, fund and scale adoption
Who should attend: directors and senior leaders; heads of engineering, operations, digital and IT; HR and L&D; commercial and bid teams; and anyone responsible for making AI work in their organisation.
Tickets: free for Rail Forum members, £49 for non-members. Places are limited to 120.
Presented by EMBS Group and Peak Intelligence. Partners: Microsoft, CWSI, Fishbone Solutions, Qualitrain and ISO QSL.
Agenda
🕑: 09:15 AM - 09:30 AM
Registration opens
🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Arrival: coffee, networking and partner stands
Host: Qualitrain and ISO QSL
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:05 AM
Welcome: why AI, why now for rail
Host: James Wall, EMBS Group and Peak Intelligence
🕑: 10:05 AM - 10:35 AM
Keynote: Copilot, agents and the AI ecosystem
Host: Industry expert, Microsoft
🕑: 10:35 AM - 10:55 AM
Secure AI: governing Copilot and agents at scale
Host: Paul Conaty, CWSI
🕑: 10:55 AM - 11:15 AM
Adoption that sticks: The Climb and AI Discovery
Host: Matt Elson, Peak Intelligence
🕑: 11:15 AM - 11:35 AM
Data foundations for rail AI
Host: Fishbone Solutions
🕑: 11:35 AM - 11:45 AM
Comfort Break
🕑: 11:45 AM - 12:30 PM
Workshop: Rail AI Basecamp challenge
Host: Craig Dutton and Matt Elson, Peak Intelligence
🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:00 PM
Quick-fire panel Q&A
Host: All speakers, chaired by Matt Elson
🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:10 PM
Results, prize and close
Host: James Wall with Rail Forum
🕑: 01:10 PM - 01:30 PM
Networking lunch
Host: All Partners
Event venue & nearby stays
Pride Park Stadium, Pride Park Stadium, Derby, United Kingdom
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