Letters to the Editor

Turing and AI lecture.

Sir,

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Royal Signals Institution for hosting the recent online lecture by Colin Williams on 'Turing Amongst the Robots'. As a retired officer of the Royal Corps of Signals, I found the talk both intellectually stimulating and deeply relevant to the challenges and opportunities facing the Corps today.

What made the lecture so compelling was its grounding in historical context while remaining sharply focused on the present and future. The journey from wartime radar systems and cybernetics to contemporary debates on artificial intelligence and human augmentation was not only fascinating—it was profoundly important. Mr Williams’ ability to connect the pioneering work of Turing, Vannevar Bush, and others to today’s technological landscape was a masterclass in professional reflection.

It was particularly refreshing to see the subject of AI explored not just as a technical phenomenon, but as a sociological and ethical one. The questions raised about human agency, machine cognition, and the future of decision-making in defence and society were timely and thought-provoking. I appreciated how the lecture challenged us to think critically about the systems we build and the values we embed within them.

This was a talk that reminded me why professional dialogue remains so vital to the Royal Signals community. It is through such events that we continue to learn, adapt, and contribute meaningfully to the evolving information environment.

Yours sincerely,

Clive Ludford

Response from the Editor

Dear Clive,

Thank you for your thoughtful and generous letter following Colin Williams’ lecture, 'Turing Amongst the Robots: Some Hidden Histories (and Possible Futures) of AI'. We are delighted that you found the session stimulating and relevant to the current challenges facing the Corps and wider defence community.

The Royal Signals Institution is committed to delivering events that connect our professional heritage with the evolving information environment. Colin’s talk was a powerful example of how historical insight can illuminate contemporary debates, and your reflections on the ethical and sociological dimensions of AI are exactly the kind of dialogue we aim to foster.

We are especially pleased that the lecture resonated with our retired members. Your continued engagement enriches our community and helps ensure that our discussions remain grounded, thoughtful, and forward-looking.

Thank you again for your kind words. We look forward to welcoming you to future events and continuing this important conversation.

Editor

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RSI Lecture

Sir,

I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Royal Signals Institution for hosting the recent Sponsored Lecture on the Emergency Services Network Programme. The session, delivered by Niall Stokoe and Andrew Mould, was both informative and thought-provoking, offering a rare and valuable insight into one of the most complex and strategically significant communications programmes currently underway in the UK.

As a member of the defence industry, I found the discussion particularly relevant. The lecture highlighted the scale and ambition of the ESN programme, its technological pivot from legacy systems to modern mobile platforms, and the critical importance of resilience, security, and interoperability in delivering mission-critical communications. These themes resonate strongly with our own work and priorities.

What stood out most was the emphasis on professional dialogue. The ability to bring together military, civil service, and industry perspectives in a shared forum is vital to building a common understanding of how we deliver information services in increasingly complex operational environments. The RSI continues to play a crucial role in facilitating this dialogue, and events such as this lecture are a testament to the Institution’s commitment to professional development and collaboration.

I look forward to future opportunities to engage with the RSI and its members as the ESN journey progresses.

Yours sincerely,

Philip Wenlock

Response from the Editor

Dear Philip,

Thank you for your kind words and for attending the RSI Sponsored Lecture on the Emergency Services Network Programme. We are pleased to hear that the session was informative and valuable to you and your colleagues in the defence industry.

The Royal Signals Institution remains committed to delivering a series of informative events that foster professional dialogue and build a shared understanding of how we deliver information services. We are currently developing our programme for 2026 and welcome ideas and contributions from across our membership and industry partners.

Thank you again for your support and engagement.

Editor

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Royal Signals Careers Fair

Sir,

Viasat was invited by the RSI to support a Royal Signals Careers Fair earlier this year. 

Firstly, I would like to say that the Viasat team and I were incredibly impressed by the quality of soldiers that attended the event.  There was a broad range of experience from across the Corps both in terms of rank and time served and of course skills and knowledge.  It is a credit to the Corps that it continues to develop outstanding people.

Secondly and perhaps most importantly I would like to highlight the success we had in filling the Lease Ops Engineer role that we were recruiting for at the event.  I am very pleased to confirm that [a Royal Signals Senior Rank] will have started their civilian career with Viasat by the time this goes to print. 

By my count this makes [them] the 12^th Royal Signals veteran currently working for Viasat, though there may be more squirrelled away.  Of course, [they] will be part of a much wider Viasat Veterans Alliance (VVA) that has 100s of members globally and we look forward to welcoming [them] when [they] joins us.  Viasat was also recognised in 2025 as a Gold Employer on the Armed Forces Covenant Scheme and we are committed to maintain this standard.

In closing, I would like to thank you and the wider RSI for the opportunity to support soldiers looking to leave the military and very much look forward to the next event.  I think this is great example of The RSI and Industry working together for the benefit of its soldiers and members.

Yours

Barney Gray

Director, UK Government Team

Viasat

+44 (0) 7514 311 826

Barney.Gray@Viasat.com

Response from the Editor

Dear Barney,

Thank you for your letter and for Viasat’s valued support to the Royal Signals Careers Fair in May this year.

We are delighted to hear of the successful appointment of Royal Signals people to your team. The transition into industry is a testament to the calibre of Royal Signals soldiers and the strength of the relationship between the Corps, the RSI, and our corporate members. That twelve Royal Signals veterans are now part of Viasat’s workforce is a powerful reflection of this enduring connection.

The Royal Signals Institution deeply values its corporate members, whose engagement brings real institutional strength. Our shared commitment to supporting soldiers as they move into civilian careers is not only a mark of professional maturity - it is also a strategic investment in future capability. Veterans carry with them deep technical expertise, leadership, and adaptability, all of which continue to shape and strengthen the defence and communications sectors.

We look forward to continuing this mutually beneficial relationship with all our Corporate Members. Thank you again for your support and for recognising the talent within the Corps.

Editor