Economic Forum
The Economic Forum at Queen’s will convene a global network of academic, industry and policy leaders to explore the potential of AI as a driver for economic development through collaborative research and investment.
The event will focus on the opportunities presented by the application of AI on four key themes where Queen’s has internationally renowned expertise and global impact.
The Forum will highlight the economic opportunity and elucidate the present-day policy challenges necessary to realise the vision across the themes of Cyber Security and Finance, Health, Biotechnology, The Green Transition and Business and Technology.
Date: Tuesday 15 July 2025 Venue: Queen’s University Business School
Programme Steering Group and Speakers
PROGRAMME
11.45
QUEEN'S BUSINESS SCHOOL
DOWNSTAIRS FOYER
ARRIVAL
Buffet lunch, networking and exhibitors including:
12.35
HARVARD LECTURE THEATRE
OPENING REMARKS
Hosted by Donna Traynor
Professor Sir Ian Greer KB, President and Vice Chancellor, Queen's University Belfast
Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland
Minister for the Economy
13.00
HARVARD LECTURE THEATRE
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Dr Joseph Patrick Kennedy III, Honorary Professor of Practice in International Relations and Global Leadership, Queen's University Belfast
Followed by a panel discussion, hosted by Dr Garrett Curran, Chair, Queen’s University of Belfast Foundation Board.
Panellists:
- Dr Joseph Patrick Kennedy III
- Dr John Healy OBE, Chair, Invest NI
- Richard Lenane, Managing Partner, Exponent
- Cat McCusker, Northern Ireland Market Leader, PWC
13.45
HARVARD LECTURE THEATRE
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Dr Pippa Malmgren, Technology Entrepreneur and Economist
‘Living Well in an Era of Hyper-Innovation’
Q&A with Dr Pippa Malmgren, hosted by Donna Traynor
14.35
HARVARD LECTURE THEATRE
PANEL DISCUSSION
'AI, Cybersecurity and Finance: Collaborating for Economic Growth'
Keynote Speaker: Jack Stubbs, Intelligence and Investigations, OpenAI
Followed by a panel discussion hosted by Gillian Colan-O'Leary, NI Cyber
Panellists:
- Professor Máire O'Neill, Professor and Director of the Research Institute in Secure Hardware and Embedded Systems (RISE) at CSIT
- Professor Jesús Martínez del Rincón, Professor, School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Queen’s University Belfast
- Jack Stubbs, Lead for Intelligence and Investigations, OpenAI
- Dr Libby Duane Adams CCO and co-founder, Alteryx
- Kate O'Loughlin, Vice President, Information Security Engineering, Mastercard
15.30
DOWNSTAIRS FOYER
BREAK
- View exhibition stands
- Engage with Spinouts
15.55
HARVARD LECTURE THEATRE
PANEL DISCUSSION
‘Framing the Future: AI, Business, and Standardisation’
Keynote Speaker: Mick Costigan, VP Salesforce Futures, Salesforce
Followed by a panel discussion hosted by David Crozier CBE, Director, Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre.
Panellists:
- Professor Karen Rafferty, Head of School, Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Queens University Belfast
- Mick Costigan, VP Salesforce Futures Salesforce
- Ronan Carey, Director, Dell Technologies
- Declan McGarry, Associate Director Applied AI Practice Baker McKenzie
- Ruth McGuinness, Head of Data and Artificial Intelligence, Kainos
16.50
HARVARD LECTURE THEATRE
PANEL DISCUSSION
‘AI at the Crossroads of Academia and Industry: Powering the Future of Health, Biotech and Diagnostics’
Panel discussion hosted by Dan West, Northern Ireland Lead, Accenture
Panellists:
- Professor Ian Bruce, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Medicine, Health and Life Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast
- Dr Hugh Cormican, CEO, Cirdan
- Dr Brian Murphy, Co-Founder and CSO, Cumulus Neuroscience
- Professor Joann Rhodes, Chief Executive, Health Innovation Research Alliance, NI (HIRANI)
17.25
HARVARD LECTURE THEATRE
PANEL DISCUSSION
‘Towards Net-Zero: How AI, Academic Innovation, and Policy Shape Green Business’
Panel discussion hosted by Roisin Finnegan, Independent Consultant
Panellists:
- Professor David Rooney, Professor of Chemical Engineering, Queen’s University Belfast and Director, Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy.
- Kevin Devlin, Advisor and Chairman Designate of Encavis, US Net Zero Advisory Board
- Conall Laverty, Founder WIA
- Sam McCloskey, Country Director, Simply Blue Group
- Dr Dave McGowan, Head of Future Power Systems, SONI
18.10
RIDDEL HALL
DRINKS RECEPTION
18.30
RIDDEL HALL
WELCOME ADDRESS
Dr Len O’Hagan CBE, Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Senate, Queen's University Belfast
18.40
RIDDEL HALL
FIRESIDE CHAT WITH DERMOT DESMOND
Hosted by Donna Traynor
19.15
ISDELL COURTYARD
RIDDEL HALL
DINNER
21.00
RIDDEL HALL
CLOSING REMARKS
Professor Sir Ian Greer KB, President and Vice Chancellor, Queen's University Belfast