The first generations of LLMs were locked behind APIs and closely guarded SaaS applications, but over the last two years more and more LLMs have been released as collections of “open weights” where the trained parameters of the LLM can be downloaded and run on an organisations own hardware, either in a data centre or on the cloud.
This event will introduce open weights models, describe what needs to be done to run them and explore the impact and potential of their availability.
We'll hear from:
Phil Claridge – Founder, Mandrel Systems Limited
Today we’re tearing the lid off closed-door AI: we’ll spin up open-weight LLMs on our own machines, riff with embeddings, and even demo edge image processing in action—live! Expect snags (what could go wrong?), quick pivots, and a peek at the nuts and bolts that make these models hum under your own roof. Buckle up—by the end, you’ll see how ‘open weights’ turn AI from a black box into your next competitive edge.
Dr Aaron Zhao - Senior Data Scientist, GFT Financial Ltd
Open-source large language models (LLMs) such as LLaMA, Mistral, and DeepSeek are unlocking new opportunities for developing AI-powered solutions across various industries. Fine-tuning these models on task-specific or domain-specific data can greatly enhance their performance and relevance for real-world applications. In this talk, we'll briefly explore when fine-tuning is appropriate and walk through a practical example of fine-tuning a DeepSeek model to address a specific business challenge.
Thank you to our AI SIG sponsor Appleyard Lees
Speakers
Artificial Intelligence SIG Champions
Darendra Appanah
Darendra is part of the Systems Engineering & Test department, where he applies his expertise in Digital Security Testing to various technologies, including Machine Learning and AI. He has a background in Software Test Automation of wireless communications protocols, such as satellite communications and LTE. He enjoys defining and developing testing strategies for cybersecurity challenges and ensuring the quality and reliability of innovative solutions.
Phil Claridge
Phil Claridge is a ‘virtual CTO’ for hire within Mandrel Systems covering end-to-end systems. Currently having fun and helping others with large-scale AI systems integration, country-wide large scale big-data processing, hands-on IoT technology (from sensor hardware design, through LoRa integration to back end systems), and advanced city information modelling. Supporting companies with M&A ‘exit readiness’, due-diligence and on advisory boards. Past roles include: CTO, Chief Architect, Labs Director, and Technical Evangelist for Geneva/Convergys (telco), Arieso/Viavi (geolocation), and Madge (networking). Phil’s early career was in electronics, and still finds it irresistible to swap from Powerpoint to a soldering iron and a compiler to produce proof-of-concepts when required.
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/claridge/
Dr Parminder Lally
Parminder is a patent attorney based in Appleyard Lees’ Cambridge office, and helps companies to protect their technological innovations. She has built a substantial reputation working with high-growth start-ups, spin-outs and SMEs in Cambridge, and has in-house experience. She specialises in writing and prosecuting patent applications for computer-implemented inventions. Her work includes patenting AI-based technologies, including new machine learning frameworks and applications of machine learning in image classification, human-computer interactions and text-to-speech. Parminder also writes her own AI blog on LinkedIn, and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys’ Computer Technology Committee.
Simon Thompson
Simon leads a team that develops AI and ML solutions for large financial institutions. Before joining GFT he was the Principal Investigator for BT’s AI program. Before that he was the Head of Practice for Big Data and Customer Experience at BT and BT’s lead for collaborations with MIT, and the first industry fellow at the Alan Turing Institute. Simon is interested in practical application of AI technology and the practice and process of AI and ML projects. His book “Managing Machine Learning Projects” was published by Manning Books in 2023.
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.twitter.com/AISimonThompson
Dr Vidhya Sridhar
Vidhya leads the Autonomous Technologies team at TTP. Her team works with ambitious clients in markets ranging from aviation to farming to bring novel technologies that expand human capabilities, empower human efficiency and enhance human safety. Vidhya has a background in digital signal processing and physical layer design and development. In her PhD at Imperial College London, she carried out research on array signal processing techniques with applications in 5G and defence.
- Website:
- www.ttp.com
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/www.linkedin.com/in/vidhyasridhar
Peter Whale
Peter is Founder & CEO of Vision Formers, the specialist consultancy that supports and mentors leaders of visionary technology businesses get product to market and turn ideas into reality. Vision Formers works with start-ups and scale-ups, providing significant expertise in accelerating business growth through a focus on developing a robust product strategy, growing and coaching product and development teams, and providing operational excellence. Peter has a long track record of conceiving, developing and marketing successful technology-based solutions, deployed at scale, globally. Innovative products Peter has brought to market in digital, cloud, AI, consumer electronics and telecommunications have been used by countless millions of people on a daily basis globally, badged by the world’s leading digital and technology brands. Peter also works with Digital Catapult as Programme Manager for UKTIN, working with partners and stakeholders to deliver UKTIN’s mission to transform the UK telecoms innovation ecosystem, capitalising on the country’s strengths in technology, academia, and entrepreneurialism, while positioning it for growth as new opportunities emerge in the industry. Peter is a board member of CW (Cambridge Wireless), a Fellow of the IET, a Chartered Engineer, and a member of the Association of Business Mentors.
