New AI Summit in Cornwall

Businesses will hear from leading experts at the Cornwall AI Summit

A flagship event to help Cornwall businesses harness the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been announced by The University of Exeter. The Cornwall AI Summit will bring together business leaders, researchers, and innovation experts to explore how AI is already transforming industries, and what the next opportunities are.

The summit, held at the Eden Project in St Austell, is expected to attract a wide range of professionals, from SMEs to larger enterprises. Keynote speeches from industry-leading experts, including Amazon Web Services, will take place throughout the morning.

Leading voices in AI to open event

The event will be opened by Professor Mark Thompson, AI and Digital Technology, University of Exeter, delivering a keynote on How AI is Radically Changing the Way We do Business. Mark is a leading voice in the digital space and is acknowledged as one of the architects of digital service redesign within the UK public sector. He blends the roles of academic, practitioner, and policy commentator and is a regular voice in the media, as well as chairing key national conferences. Professor Thompson will be joined by Andrew Proctor, Executive Lead, UK Education at Amazon Web Services, Professor of Digital Transformation, who will speak on lessons learned in digital transformation for the public and private sectors.

The second session focuses on Regional Opportunities and Business Exemplars, chaired by John Brown, CEO of the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, with expert input from businesses in the county offering services/solutions to Cornwall enterprises.

Session three – AI Skills and Workforce – will look at how AI can supercharge business and careers, chaired by Chloe Rickard, Digital Futures Academy Lead at Cornwall Council, with an expert panel including Christina Cole, Head of UK & EMEA, Amazon Web Services Skills to Jobs.

Taking place on 12 November at Eden Project, St Austell, Cornwall, the summit will cut through the hype and provide clear, practical guidance for businesses at every stage of their AI journey. Designed with businesses in mind, the event will highlight how AI is being used today across sectors and how organisations can take advantage of local support to innovate and grow. Delegates will also have opportunities to network with like-minded businesses and colleagues throughout the event.

In addition, delegates will have the opportunity to stay on for a series of free workshops in the afternoon delivered by Dixon AI. These sessions will focus on the strategy and application of AI, providing hands-on guidance and deeper insight into how businesses can practically implement AI to drive growth and innovation.

Key Themes Include:

• Understanding what AI means for business: Attendees will learn how AI is being applied across industries, offering valuable insight into emerging opportunities and future developments.
• Cutting through the jargon: The event focuses on no-nonsense, actionable advice to help business leaders make informed decisions about AI investment and implementation.
• Learning from real-world success: Local businesses already using AI will share their experiences, showcasing how it’s delivering measurable results and providing a roadmap for others to follow.
• Developing the right skills: The event will also explore the skills needed to thrive in an AI-driven economy, highlighting local training opportunities ranging from short courses to degree programs.
• Building meaningful connections: Delegates will have the opportunity to network with researchers, training providers, and fellow business leaders to spark collaboration and growth.

Event Details:

• Date: 12 November
• Time: 8:30am – 2pm
• Venue: Eden Project, St Austell, Cornwall
• Tickets: £25 (ex VAT) per person includes all sessions, tea, coffee, and lunch.
• To buy tickets, please click here.