What is your role at Ada Mode?
I have recently joined Ada Mode as a Senior Engineer, and have been the first to be based in the new Manchester Office which gives Ada Mode a presence in the Northwest. My role will involve growing the business within the North-West as well as project managing
I have 8 years experience in nuclear decommissioning and have been at the forefront of R&D primarily for robotics but also covering AI and manufacturing.
What does an average day look like for you?
My day is a mixture of business development and project management, and no two days are the same. As an extroverted introvert this is a great mix for me. I love going out and talking to people, finding out their problems, and how we can help solve them. But I also need the quiet time to recharge, and the PM aspect grants me this.
What has been a career highlight so far?
I was the project lead for Sellafield’s AI strategy which was produced in collaboration with Ada Mode in 2022. For a nuclear site to have developed a strategy on how they were going to utilise AI and govern it’s introduction was novel at the time, and to be part of all the conversations surrounding that, and have it published on the .gov website was a huge achievement for me at that time in my career.
Everyone at Ada Mode shares the same passion for tech. What about AI technology are you most passionate about?
For me, it’s about alleviating the mundane tasks. There are some brilliant brains in the world that are being under-utilised because their time is taken up with boring, monotonous work. We want these brains to be at full academic and creative potential.
Where do you see the industry heading in the next 3-5 years?
That feels like such an impossible question. The AI landscape has changed massively in the last 5 years; an acceleration I’m not sure many could have predicted. I think the greater focus will be on the governance and ethical use, and producing guidance and standards to benchmark against.
Graduate Data Scientist, Bharath asks: Coming from leading the robotics and manufacturing research at Sellafield, you're at the forefront of AI adoption in nuclear. There has been massive investment to lead the development of next generation hardware and infrastructure to support the growing demands for AI. How do you think this will reflect in the nuclear industry?
I feel like AI and nuclear can both benefit one another. AI has the ability to ease the cognitive burden of nuclear operators and technical teams, but nuclear has the potential to provide the additional energy required to power the data centers. If the two can work together this would provide the greatest benefit.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
I have a little boy who is the light of my life, so most of my spare time is spent enjoying time as a family. We are members of Chester Zoo so often head there to see the animals - the bats are my favorite. When the opportunity arises though, I love a spa day or planning our next family holiday.
What are your top 3 books/podcasts?
Jane Eyre – Charlotte Bronte; first read it at high-school and have probably read it every year since. A classic.
ACOTAR – Sarah J Maas; along with everything else she has written. An incredible set of interconnecting series.
Twilight – Stephanie Myer; for my sins! It’s a comfort read; and as you might have guessed I’m an avid re-reader of my favorites.
Thanks, Mel!
