Peter Spayne

Founder R2AI

Peter Spayne is a PhD candidate at Cranfield University’s Centre for Defence Engineering, specialising in the assurance of Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems. As a former Warrant Officer Weapon Engineer in the Royal Navy, he draws on over two decades of operational experience, particularly in Mine Warfare and autonomous systems, to tackle one of the most pressing challenges in defence technology - how to assure AI when it assumes control. Peter is the founder and Principal Consultant at R2AI, where he helps organisations navigate the complexities of integrating AI and autonomy into their operations. His applied research has been briefed at ministerial levels and his development of the Safe to Operate Itself Safely framework enabled him to be called upon as an expert witness at Select Committees. 'Safe to Operate Itself Safely' sets a new benchmark for certifying safe autonomy. The framework combines proactive and reactive assurance techniques to provide a structured, through-life approach to evaluating AI as a controlling agent. With 13 years of academic study and a growing body of influential publications, Peter’s work sits at the intersection of engineering practice, ethical governance, and AI policy. His contributions are shaping how militaries, regulators, and industry leaders approach the safe integration of autonomous systems - ensuring that trust in AI is earned.