engineering innovation

By Sam McBriar, director of research, technology and solution innovation, and Charlotte Grinyer, principal AI researcher, at one of the world’s leading aerospace and defence companies, Thales UK

The face of the technology sector has changed over recent decades. Historically shaped by a narrow demographic, the industry is waking up to the reality that diverse perspectives aren’t just welcome – they are essential.

This isn’t about box-ticking or cultural sentiment – it’s about building better solutions. Diversity – of gender, ethnicity, neurodiversity, working background and lived experience – strengthens innovation by unlocking creative problem-solving, challenging assumptions, and producing outcomes that more accurately reflect the world we live in.

As the UK pursues its ambition to become a global leader in AI, as set out in the Prime Minister’s 2025 AI Opportunities Action Plan, it’s clear that people will be just as critical as technology. If we want smarter systems, we need broader perspectives. [Read more…] about Perspective from Thales: The power of diversity in STEM