The Liverpool City Region AI Summit is back this October, bigger, bolder, and set to shine a spotlight on how artificial intelligence can change lives for the better.

Taking place at ACC Liverpool on Wednesday 23 October, the summit builds on the huge success of last year’s inaugural event. It will bring together world-leading academics, pioneering researchers, industry experts, and innovative businesses to share bold ideas and real-world applications of AI.

This year’s programme spans four stages and is expected to draw more than 800 attendees, with a powerful line-up of keynote speakers including:

• Professor Michael Wooldridge (Oxford University), who delivered the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures on AI in 2023.
• Mike Bracken CBE, founder of the UK Government Digital Service and the country’s first Chief Data Officer.

International guests from Europe, Australia, and the US will give the summit a global dimension, reflecting Liverpool’s growing position as a hub for AI. Earlier this year, global IT giant Kyndryl chose the city as the base for a major new AI operation.

Hosted by BBC presenter Jo Coburn and featuring interactive AI-powered avatars, the event will also hear from the Liverpool City Region’s first Chief AI Officer, the only role of its kind in a UK Combined Authority. Alongside the talks, an exhibition space will showcase some of the most exciting AI innovations from across the country.

The summit also looks to the future: 200 students from schools and colleges across the city region will attend, while a Youth AI Summit will take place at The Spine in Knowledge Quarter Liverpool on 20 October, giving children and young people the chance to explore and shape the role of AI in their world.

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said:

“AI is already changing the way we live and work – but here in the Liverpool City Region, we’re showing how it can be a force for good. From tackling deadly diseases, to transforming how our kids learn in school, our area is proving that AI can make a real difference to people’s lives. 

“I’m thrilled to see this summit return for a second year, bigger and even better. It’s a chance to showcase some of the brightest minds and most exciting innovations from around the world – and to show that our region is leading the way in using technology to build a fairer, greener and more prosperous future for everyone. 

“We’ve got the talent, the world-class facilities, and the ambition to make the Liverpool City Region the UK’s home of ethical, inclusive AI. This summit is another big step on that journey.” 

With the rapid acceleration of AI and its influence shaping everything from smart cities to medical breakthroughs and the future of work, the summit is set to ignite conversations about the direction of AI for the years ahead. 

It is also expected to spark collaborations and drive new ideas about how AI can support the UK’s wider ambitions to be at the cutting edge of ethical technology.  

With a firm focus on ‘AI for Good’, key themes at this year’s summit are:  

• AI in Innovation and Industry, covering Health and Life Sciences, Advanced Manufacturing, and Transport 
• AI in the Workplace, covering Education, Skills and Careers 
• AI in Society, covering Inclusion and Literacy, Sustainability and Environment, and Ethics 

Home to world-class AI assets including the UK’s most powerful supercomputer dedicated to industrial research and PsiQuantum’s only European base, the Liverpool City Region is at the forefront of AI innovation that serves people and communities. 

Local primary schools are pioneering the use of AI-powered technology to transform learning, and the summit will feature city region scientists at the forefront of AI-powered medical breakthroughs and global environmental research. 

Delivered in partnership with techUK, the summit will spotlight groundbreaking projects, while highlighting how AI can drive economic growth and addressing critical topics such as AI ethics, the law, and the environment. 

Headline event sponsor, the University of Liverpool, along with supporting sponsors Liverpool John Moores University and ITS, will join global tech giants including Kyndryl at this pivotal event to discuss the future of AI and its potential to transform the way we live, work, and learn.  

In addition to leading the charge in AI, the Liverpool City Region continues to invest in its digital future, with projects such as LCR Connect – a £30m gigabit-speed network available to more than 28,000 businesses – solidifying its reputation as a region of innovation and opportunity. 

As well as appointing a Chief AI Officer, an LCR AI Task Force will be established as the city region supports the Government in its delivery of the AI Opportunities Action Plan. 

University of Liverpool Vice Chancellor Professor Tim Jones said:

“We’re delighted to be the headline sponsor of the Liverpool City Region AI Summit 2025. As a critical anchor institution, the University of Liverpool is committed to driving the region’s AI for Good agenda and supporting a day focused on innovation, collaboration, and real-world impact. 

“Through our ‘AI for Life’ Research Frontier, we are tackling major challenges like climate change, healthcare, and digital inclusion – always with an emphasis on ethical, transparent, and community-driven AI. I am confident this Summit will spark new partnerships and inspire transformative change in a technology that is shaping the way we live and work.” 

Kir Nuthi, Head of AI and Data at techUK, said: 

“The Liverpool City Region AI Summit has become a landmark event in the UK’s technology calendar, showcasing the very best of how AI can be harnessed as a force for good. At techUK, we see first-hand the transformative potential of AI to boost productivity, improve lives and ensure the UK is prepared to lead the forefront of innovation on the global stage. 

“This year’s summit is a great opportunity to bring together businesses, academia, government and the broader technology community to share ideas, tackle today’s challenges and explore how we can prepare and deploy AI to deliver real benefits for people across the country.”

For further info about the AI Summit, please visit the website.

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