Powering Performance: Quality in the Age of AI
Quality, Power, Performance: celebrating World Quality Week in Birmingham
Every November, quality professionals around the world mark CQI/IRCA World Quality Week. This year, the CQI Birmingham Network is celebrating with a morning built around three words: Quality, Power and Performance.
Powering Performance: Quality in the Age of AI takes place on Friday 13 November 2026 at the Autodesk Technology Centre in Birmingham, with a live stream for anyone who can't make it in person. Industry leaders and quality consultants will share how quality drives real business performance, and how AI is changing what the profession looks like day to day.
The morning will be opened and closed by Jaz Tanwar, Managing Director of Temple Management Training.
The event at a glance
Date: Friday 13 November 2026
Time: 08:15 registration and networking, sessions from 09:00, close at 12:30
Venue: Autodesk Technology Centre, Small Heath Business Park, Talbot Way, Birmingham B10 0HJ
Format: In person, with a live stream available
Organised by: the CQI Birmingham Network, as part of CQI/IRCA World Quality Week
Quality: what does poor quality really cost?
The programme opens with Bob Hughes on Quality Cost. Rework, scrap, complaints, warranty claims and lost customers all carry a price, but much of it never shows up clearly on a balance sheet. Understanding the true cost of quality is often the first step in making the business case for improvement, and this session sets the tone for the rest of the morning.
Power: keeping promises and governing AI responsibly
Two talks look at the forces that give quality its influence inside an organisation.
Dimitra Koutsochera will present Respecting Delivery Commitments: How Quality Powers Performance at Manutan, a practical look at how a strong quality culture helps a business consistently meet what it promises its customers.
Tsogoo Gankhuyag follows with Power of AI Governance (ISO 42001) in the Modern Organisation. ISO/IEC 42001 is the international standard for AI management systems, giving organisations a structured way to manage the risks and responsibilities that come with using AI. For quality professionals already familiar with ISO 9001, it offers a recognisable framework for bringing AI under the same kind of control as any other business process.
Performance: AI that delivers measurable results
After the break, the focus moves from principles to proof.
Amer Mahmood will share AI and Lessons: Breakthrough in Loop Closing, exploring how AI can help organisations turn lessons learned into lasting improvement rather than findings that sit in a report.
Dave Treadwell will then present AI Implementation for Warranty Reduction, a real business case showing how AI is being applied to bring warranty costs down.
Live panel and an exclusive tour
The speakers come together for an open panel Q&A hosted by Claire Lewis, giving attendees the chance to put their own questions on quality, power and performance to the people on stage.
In-person attendees will then get an exclusive tour of the Autodesk Technology Centre, Birmingham's "factory of the future" for robotics and advanced manufacturing. It's a rare chance to see advanced manufacturing technology up close, and a fitting backdrop for a conversation about quality in the age of AI.
Powering Performance: Quality in the Age of AI
- 08:15 Arrival Registration and networking
- 09:00 Welcome Jaz TanwarWelcome and opening remarks
- 09:05 Network Claire LewisCQI Birmingham Network: who we are and how to get involved
- 09:15 Quality Bob HughesQuality Cost
- 09:35 Power Dimitra KoutsocheraRespecting Delivery Commitments: How Quality Powers Performance at Manutan
- 09:55 Power Tsogoo GankhuyagPower of AI Governance (ISO 42001) in the Modern Organisation
- 10:15 Break Refreshments
- 10:30 Performance Amer MahmoodAI and Lessons: Breakthrough in Loop Closing
- 10:50 Performance Dave TreadwellAI Implementation for Warranty Reduction
- 11:10 Break Refreshments
- 11:25 Panel Live panel Q&AOpen Q&A with our speakers on Quality, Power and Performance, hosted by Claire Lewis
- 11:55 Tour Autodesk Technology CentreBirmingham's "factory of the future" for robotics and advanced manufacturing (in-person attendees only)
- 12:25 Close Jaz TanwarClosing remarks
- 12:30 Close Networking and close
Speaker order may be adjusted. The final running order will be confirmed nearer the date.
Who should attend?
The morning is ideal for quality managers, auditors, ISO system owners, operations leaders and anyone curious about how AI will affect the way quality is managed. Whether you're building the case for investment in quality, preparing for AI governance, or simply want to connect with the Birmingham quality community, there's something here for you.
Book your place
Places for the in-person event, including the Autodesk tour, are limited. Join us in Birmingham or tune in online, and be part of World Quality Week 2026.