A row has broken out after a recent Manchester Futurists meeting sponsored by app specialist Liberty Apps, hosted at Manchester’s Sedulo, and featuring a debate entitled “AI – Are We F**ked?” between Liberty founder Steve Hilton and StealthMode founder and The 84 Podcast co-host Omar Latif, and moderated by Fractional Ops Director/COO Anne Marie O’Neill, was accused of misogyny by some of those in attendance.
One witness told Prolific North anonymously that Hilton, essentially arguing against the premise that we are indeed “f**ked” by the tech, while Latif was taking a more cautious approach, “downplayed statistics on deep fake porn and abuse of AI girlfriends created on Replika,” and that “when Omar stated the research results that 28% of people who partake in those activities in video games and online spaces go on to commit sexual assault. Steve’s response was that it’s incredibly low, as if to suggest it’s not an issue.”
They added that Hilton went on to suggest that bias in AI “doesn’t exist,” leaving Latif “incredulous,” and inspiring an audience member to shout out that “straight white men” are the most discriminated-against group in the sector.
This in turn reportedly prompted moderator O’Neill to query whether the attendee was “rage-baiting.”
So far, so heated debate, however an email, seen by Prolific North, was sent out by Hilton following the event, apologising for O’Neill’s behaviour, and accusing her of drinking too much to moderate: “An important message from Steve Hilton about Manchester Futurists,” the message was headed.
“I want to apologize for the behaviour of Anne Marie O’Neill on the night and how she kept going off topic. Sedulo have contacted me to say that a number of you were rightly unhappy with how Anne Marie handled the event. She obviously had too much to drink to moderate.
When I asked Anne Marie to apologize yesterday, she agreed, but then changed her mind a few hours later. Then today, I find out that Naomi Timperley has removed me from the Manchester founder meet up community.”
Sedulo declined to comment on whether they had received complaints about O’Neill, noting that they were simply the host venue and were not involved with the organisation of the event.
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Certainly a scroll through LinkedIn in the initial aftermath didn’t seem to throw up too many complaints. Strategy consultant and Made for More International CIC founder Mary Fashanu was full of praise, including for the event’s “phenomenal” moderator: “AI – Are We Fked?
That was the actual title of the event I attended last night Sedulo — and trust me, it lived up to the name. With pizza and drinks thanks to Liberty Apps
It wasn’t just clickbait. It was a raw, real, and slightly uncomfortable conversation about where we’re heading with Artificial Intelligence.
Here are a few things that stuck with me:
There are currently no solid guidelines or policies in place to protect us — especially our children — from the risks of AI. We’re essentially figuring it out as we go, and that’s scary.
AI is only as unbiased as the humans who build it. And let’s be honest, human bias is everywhere. So how do we ensure fairness when the foundation itself is flawed? 🤔
Remember when AI was used to predict students’ grades during COVID? It ended up disadvantaging a lot of young people. A clear example of how these systems can do real harm.
The irony is, all these “smart” conveniences — voice assistants, personalised feeds, automation — may be making life easier, but at what cost? Privacy, over-reliance, reduced critical thinking?
One question that was asked that really hit home: Do you feel represented in AI? Many people don’t. And if certain voices and communities aren’t at the table, AI will continue to reflect only a select few.
The conclusion? It’s up to us.
Until there are stronger policies in place, we must educate ourselves, protect our families, question what we’re consuming, and get involved in shaping what’s being built. ‼️
This conversation is just beginning — and we all need to be part of it.
What are your thoughts? Do you feel represented in the way AI is shaping our world?
Was great to meet new people especially the phenomenal Anne-Marie O’Neill and Kusal Ariyawansa
Great conversations between the opponents Omar Latif and STEVE HILTON””
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Another attendee, Sedulo executive Mario Lazzazara, writing in a personal capacity on the platform, added: “Last night, we opened the doors at Sedulo with Liberty Apps for an evening of honest, raw conversation around something that’s impacting all of us, whether we realise it or not: Artificial Intelligence.
I met some great people and had some really engaging conversations.
Thanks again to STEVE HILTON, Omar Latif, Kusal Ariyawansa & Anne-Marie O’Neill for driving such an important and engaging conversation.”
The event’s much-maligned moderator O’Neill told Prolific North: “I’m upset to have found out that this email has gone out to so many respected people in the Manchester tech community. Those who were there at the event witnessed shocking misogyny from Steve that night, not just towards me but to women in tech and the victims of the crimes committed against women everywhere. His dismissive comments about these important preplanned topics were alarming to me both at the time and after the event.
“Not only did Steve’s comments confirm that more work needs to be done in the tech world and wider world to ensure women’s safety, but the single audience member’s aggressive shouting during the event also left me with no choice but to professionally address the misogynistic ‘safe space’ being created by these comments.
“Many women in tech and other industries have been conditioned to be seen and not heard. Even when we are invited, we are expected to comply. Those mothers, sisters and daughters who have the self-confidence to speak out are typically shot down with standard accusations of hysteria, being too emotional and more recently, being drunk and a misandrist.
“To be clear, as a survivor of violent sexual assault myself, I know the issues in the world do not lie at the door of all men. I was looking forward to hosting the event because I know the positive impact these open discussions can have on improving the world. However, I did not expect to feel so shocked about the damaging and dismissive attitudes Steve had about the sensitive preplanned topics. Nor did I expect to receive such an aggressive gaslighting personal attack from him after the event.
“Thankfully, the response from attendees of all genders was overwhelmingly supportive, both at the event and afterwards, which was heartwarming to receive and gave me hope for the future of the tech world and beyond.
“I categorically refute the insidious accusations in the emailed personal attack from Steve, received by the members of the Manchester tech community. To accuse a woman of being drunk rather than accepting accountability for your actions is a cowardly and, quite frankly, a lazy and dated approach to an issue that should not exist in 2025.”
Prolific North contacted Hilton, who was standing by his interpretation of events: “Whatever you saw in the Manchester Futurists email was correct. I’ve been to thousands of events and never seen a moderator lose their temper like Anne Marie.
“All I did was ask Anne Marie to apologise as Sedulo had requested due to the number of complaints.”
Hilton also reiterated his claim that he had been removed from the private WhatsApp group, suggesting that this was a sign of how “guilty” O’Neill must have felt.
Were you at the event? Was it heated debate, rage-baiting, or straightforward misogyny? And, also importantly, AI – are we? Let us know your thoughts at [email protected].
