Strategic AI Advisory Group meeting: 24 September 2025

Chair: Rebecca Evans MS, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
Diane Gutiw, CGI
Alexander Iosad, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
Shavanah Taj, Wales TUC
Walter Pasquarelli, Advisor on AI and Synthetic Reality
Marloes Pomp, European AI Forum
Gina Neff, Queen Mary University of London
Santosh Takoor, Microsoft UK
Ruth McGuinness, Kainos 
Harriet Green, Centre for Digital Public Services
Matt Lewis, Cross Public Sector AI Leadership Group in Wales
Lindsey Phillips, Welsh Local Government Association
Anthony Tracey, Hywel Dda University Health Board
Glyn Jones, Welsh Government
Jas Pal Baydal, Welsh Government
Mike Thomas, Welsh Government
Mike Emery, Welsh Government

Rachel Purchase, Admiral 

1.1 The Cabinet Secretary welcomed Alexander Iosad as a new member of the group.

2.1 Welsh Government officials presented the draft AI plan for Wales, outlining its vision and proposed actions, with a focus on four strategic pillars: economic growth, educating Wales, equitable delivery, and excellence and trust. 

2.2 The group welcomed the plan’s ambition, emphasising the need for clear objectives, public and workforce engagement, and integration of environmental impact and a distinctly Welsh approach.

2.3 The group recommended aligning the AI plan with wider policy areas, such as energy, climate, and industrial strategy, ensuring it meets the Well-being of Future Generations Act. The group also highlighted the need for effective communication and engagement to make AI relevant and accessible to people across Wales.

3.1 Welsh Government officials presented proposals for a coordinated Welsh approach to AI upskilling, highlighting the need to integrate with UK initiatives and to involve industry and public sector partners.

3.2 The group identified key challenges, including limited uptake of AI training, digital maturity, infrastructure, equity (including Welsh language provision), and the risk of some groups and communities being left behind.

3.3 The group proposed developing a flagship Welsh AI skills programme, piloting AI education in schools, creating centres of excellence, and running hackathons and sandboxes for practical learning. These initiatives should ensure equitable access to training.

4.1 Welsh Government officials updated the group on the establishment and ongoing recruitment for the Office for AI and outlined plans for future meetings and publication of meeting outputs.

4.2 Plans were discussed for the next group meeting to be held in conjunction with Wales Tech Week in November 2025, aiming for a face-to-face format at the event.

4.3 It was confirmed that summarised minutes will be published on the Welsh Government website, and that the group’s input will inform ongoing AI policy work across the Welsh Government.

5.1 The group agreed the following next steps:

• to map and consolidate ongoing AI trials and projects across sectors in Wales to ensure coordinated advice and avoid duplication
• to explore and implement effective methods for public engagement and AI literacy
• to engage on the feasibility and planning of a hackathon or similar event to promote AI skills and public sector innovation
• to establish mechanisms to track the impact and reach of AI training initiatives across the public sector, including baseline assessments and ongoing measurement

To share the upcoming Deputy Director post for the Office for AI.

Next meeting date: 24 November 2025.