TECHNEXT
Birthing Synths: AI agents with attitude (and a voice and a diary)
Big tech companies have built incredibly powerful predictive models, but they haven't built people. They lack personality, physical presence, and a persistent memory. So, how do you take AI and give it a face, a voice, a diary, and an independent existence inside a real-world business? And what happens when you do, then a tech giant treads on your toes?
In this session, Aidan Dunphy (and his Synth colleague Alfred) will share the Frntir story. We’ll take the audience behind the scenes of our startup journey to build "Synths" - digital humans that work alongside you. Designed for a broad audience of business leaders, students, and tech professionals, this talk bares all regarding the challenges of choosing and delivering on a bold vision, rather than a ‘me too’ product.
Key Topics:
- The Attitude: The challenges of conceptualising an AI agent with a persistent persona and autonomy.
- The Diary: How we designed (and redesigned) memory using advanced techniques, and understanding the tradeoffs between remembering everything and being able to focus.
- The Voice: The messy reality of generating natural speech and full video in real-time, and keeping pace with ever-climbing expectations of realistic and natural behaviour.
- Being first: What happened when, inevitably, one of the tech giants suddenly announced they were doing the same thing, and had given it the same name!
We will include a live demonstration, introducing a Frntir Synth (“Alfred”) in an online meeting, showcasing his real-time facial rendering, speech cadence, and contextual memory.
Exhibit
Exhibitors
See the exhibitors at last year's event below.
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Tech Talent Live Lightning Talks
The full Lightning Talks programme will be announced closer to the event,
featuring engaging 15-minute insights from experienced industry professionals, all free for attendees. Talk timings are as follows:
14:30 – 14:45
15:00 – 15:15
15:30 – 15:45
16:00 – 16:15
16:30 – 16:45
17:00 – 17:15
About Tech Talent Live
Big tech companies have built incredibly powerful predictive models, but they haven't built people. They lack personality, physical presence, and a persistent memory. So, how do you take AI and give it a face, a voice, a diary, and an independent existence inside a real-world business? And what happens when you do, then a tech giant treads on your toes?
In this session, Aidan Dunphy (and his Synth colleague Alfred) will share the Frntir story. We’ll take the audience behind the scenes of our startup journey to build "Synths" - digital humans that work alongside you. Designed for a broad audience of business leaders, students, and tech professionals, this talk bares all regarding the challenges of choosing and delivering on a bold vision, rather than a ‘me too’ product.
Key Topics:
- The Attitude: The challenges of conceptualising an AI agent with a persistent persona and autonomy.
- The Diary: How we designed (and redesigned) memory using advanced techniques, and understanding the tradeoffs between remembering everything and being able to focus.
- The Voice: The messy reality of generating natural speech and full video in real-time, and keeping pace with ever-climbing expectations of realistic and natural behaviour.
- Being first: What happened when, inevitably, one of the tech giants suddenly announced they were doing the same thing, and had given it the same name!
We will include a live demonstration, introducing a Frntir Synth (“Alfred”) in an online meeting, showcasing his real-time facial rendering, speech cadence, and contextual memory.
Exhibitors at Tech Talent Live
Browse some of the fantastic companies exhibiting at Tech Talent Live.
Tech Talent Live Lightning Talks
All lightning talks were held in Committee Room 1, an easily accessible room overlooking the main careers fair hall. The talks typically lasted 10 to 15 minutes per subject.
Schedule:
15:00 – Breaking into Tech: No Technical Experience? No Problem!
Discover how people from retail, music, healthcare and more are building new tech careers through low code platforms, self-learning and support from inclusive communities. This session will share powerful real-life stories and practical advice to help you confidently take your first step into tech without a traditional background.
15:30 – Why Can’t Women Thrive in Tech?
With women facing unique challenges in tech, this session will provide actionable strategies to overcome barriers like imposter syndrome and bias. You’ll gain practical advice on building confidence, developing key skills, and expanding your network to thrive in the tech sector.
16:00 – Ever Wondered About Public Sector Tech Jobs? It’s More Exciting Than You Think!
Think public sector tech is all red tape? Think again. This fast-paced session unveils how digital roles in government shape essential services used by millions, from tax collection to digital operations across departments. Discover how you can make a real impact while enjoying benefits like flexibility, job security, and room to grow. No matter your background, this could be your most exciting move yet!
16:30 – The Secret Skills That Get You Hired (and Promoted)
While technical skills open doors, soft skills like communication, adaptability, and collaboration drive career growth. This session will highlight the key soft skills tech employers value most and provide actionable tips on how to develop and showcase them.
17:00 – Want to Innovate? Try Content Design.
Discover how content design plays a crucial role in driving innovation within the tech sector. This session will introduce you to the skills and opportunities in content design and provide clear steps to start your career.
17:30 – What if 15 minutes could shed light on why your CV gets ghosted?
In this quick lightning talk you will learn about common CV pitfalls that prevent your application from standing out and practical tips to avoid them. This session is perfect for job seekers who want to make simple and effective improvements without rewriting their entire resume.
Overview
Big tech companies have built incredibly powerful predictive models, but they haven't built people. They lack personality, physical presence, and a persistent memory. So, how do you take AI and give it a face, a voice, a diary, and an independent existence inside a real-world business? And what happens when you do, then a tech giant treads on your toes?
In this session, Aidan Dunphy (and his Synth colleague Alfred) will share the Frntir story. We’ll take the audience behind the scenes of our startup journey to build "Synths" - digital humans that work alongside you. Designed for a broad audience of business leaders, students, and tech professionals, this talk bares all regarding the challenges of choosing and delivering on a bold vision, rather than a ‘me too’ product.
Key Topics:
- The Attitude: The challenges of conceptualising an AI agent with a persistent persona and autonomy.
- The Diary: How we designed (and redesigned) memory using advanced techniques, and understanding the tradeoffs between remembering everything and being able to focus.
- The Voice: The messy reality of generating natural speech and full video in real-time, and keeping pace with ever-climbing expectations of realistic and natural behaviour.
- Being first: What happened when, inevitably, one of the tech giants suddenly announced they were doing the same thing, and had given it the same name!
We will include a live demonstration, introducing a Frntir Synth (“Alfred”) in an online meeting, showcasing his real-time facial rendering, speech cadence, and contextual memory.
Speakers
Event Registration is Closed
This event is either sold out or has taken place. Registration is closed.
Registration
Registration
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How to get involved
Please read the information back below, and then fill out an expression of interest form. This will let us know you’d like to take part, what age the participating children are and whether you’d like any support from us or an ‘industry mentor.’
Plan your challenge, consider your resources and the participating students. Challenges can be completed in small or large groups. but please be aware that only 8-10 students from selected schools will be able to attend the celebration event.
Submit your challenge responses via our online form below. Your school can submit up to 10 entries. The deadline for responses is Friday 9 May, 2025. Please get in touch if you are struggling to meet the deadline.
The Schools Challenge steering committee will identify a small group of students from selected schools to be invited to a celebration event on the morning of Friday 20 June at South Shields Customs House.
If selected, you will be invited to attend by 23 May. There will also be an opportunity to display students‘ work as part of a number of public
exhibitions across local authority areas.
If you have any issues, contact us via email: getinvolved@technext.co.uk
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