TECHNEXT
The trillion dollar bottleneck: Using AI to modernise the code that runs the world

Accessible to a wide range of technical and non-technical people, we will dive into the harsh reality that many enterprises find themselves in today - complex legacy IT estates, big balls of mud that are seemingly impossible to understand, esoteric custom code, an ageing and shrinking talent pool, and rising license costs from mainframe vendors ramping prices.
It isn't just a tech problem. Inflexible, hard to change, legacy tech holds back the business too.
Today we have new tools to help us overcome these challenges. You will see a live demo of the tried and tested agentic reverse-engineering tools in the AI/works platform, showing how AI agent swarms can be used to semantically understand code, processes and business rules, build a knowledge graph and generate specifications (specs) which are fuel for building the future technology stack.
Finally, now we have a rich, comprehensive and searchable view of the system, connections and dependencies, we can deploy another swarm of agents to build a modern, well-architected, domain-driven replacement, running in the cloud and ready for user-testing.
Transforming impenetrable legacy tech to modern, maintainable working software in production used to take decades, now it takes hours.
Exhibit
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
Accessible to a wide range of technical and non-technical people, we will dive into the harsh reality that many enterprises find themselves in today - complex legacy IT estates, big balls of mud that are seemingly impossible to understand, esoteric custom code, an ageing and shrinking talent pool, and rising license costs from mainframe vendors ramping prices.
It isn't just a tech problem. Inflexible, hard to change, legacy tech holds back the business too.
Today we have new tools to help us overcome these challenges. You will see a live demo of the tried and tested agentic reverse-engineering tools in the AI/works platform, showing how AI agent swarms can be used to semantically understand code, processes and business rules, build a knowledge graph and generate specifications (specs) which are fuel for building the future technology stack.
Finally, now we have a rich, comprehensive and searchable view of the system, connections and dependencies, we can deploy another swarm of agents to build a modern, well-architected, domain-driven replacement, running in the cloud and ready for user-testing.
Transforming impenetrable legacy tech to modern, maintainable working software in production used to take decades, now it takes hours.
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
Accessible to a wide range of technical and non-technical people, we will dive into the harsh reality that many enterprises find themselves in today - complex legacy IT estates, big balls of mud that are seemingly impossible to understand, esoteric custom code, an ageing and shrinking talent pool, and rising license costs from mainframe vendors ramping prices.
It isn't just a tech problem. Inflexible, hard to change, legacy tech holds back the business too.
Today we have new tools to help us overcome these challenges. You will see a live demo of the tried and tested agentic reverse-engineering tools in the AI/works platform, showing how AI agent swarms can be used to semantically understand code, processes and business rules, build a knowledge graph and generate specifications (specs) which are fuel for building the future technology stack.
Finally, now we have a rich, comprehensive and searchable view of the system, connections and dependencies, we can deploy another swarm of agents to build a modern, well-architected, domain-driven replacement, running in the cloud and ready for user-testing.
Transforming impenetrable legacy tech to modern, maintainable working software in production used to take decades, now it takes hours.
Speakers
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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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