A peer-to-peer networking community that focuses on the rapidly
developing AI industry and how tech companies can respond.
AI South West Live!
AI SW Live! returned for its second two‑part event, bringing together the South West’s AI builders, thinkers and doers for another high‑energy evening of learning, collaboration and connection.
We stuck with the winning format — and levelled it up.
The programme delivered a packed mix of show & tell presentations, co‑creation workshops, insight sessions, fun talks, panels, the legendary AI Bumper Quiz, and plenty of time to connect over food and beer.
Whether just starting out or already deep in production, attendees came together to share what’s working, explore what’s next, and continue building the region’s growing AI community.
Highlights from February
AI South West Live! took place on 12 February 2026 at the Firepool Centre for Digital Innovation in Taunton, bringing together a sold‑out audience of founders, technologists, educators and innovators from across the region.
The afternoon featured hands‑on workshops, rapid‑fire demos, practical AI strategy sessions, a keynote from Tia Collard, an expert panel discussion and the AI South West Startup Reveal. Attendees joined two rounds of breakout sessions, explored real use cases and connected in the “Let’s Build Together” collaboration zone, with plenty of conversation continuing over pizza and drinks.
Our AI South West Ambassadors
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Join the free community
Join AI South West for the latest insight into the changing world of AI and machine learning.
Whether you're a tech leaders, entrepreneur, educator, investor, student or tech hobbyist - if you've got an interest in how this technology is destined to impact our lives, this group is for you.
AI South West is free to join and includes online discussion, a Linkedin group as well as regular meetups held throughout the region. Increase your knowledge about topics such as how to use AI to improve productivity, what metrics can be used to measure its development and the ethical and legal considerations that must be considered as the technology progresses.
You don't have to be an AI expert to join. Whatever your level of knowledge, join the group to learn new things and get insight into the exciting world of AI.
Insight-packed events
Join AI South West to attend bustling expert-led sessions across the region.
The community launched in May 2023 with a face-to-face event in Exeter hosted by programme partner King.
Events features influential speakers, roundtable discussions, Q&As, networking and - sometimes - beer and pizza.
Ongoing discussions
Between face-to-face sessions, the group serves as an ongoing discussion forum with a busy LinkedIn group and online discussion groups.
Topics include security and ethics, technical deep dives and the impact of AI development on wider society.
“AI has played a major role in the digitalization of society, as it has enabled us to collect, process, and analyse large amounts of data at a faster rate than ever before. This has led to the creation of new technologies, improved business processes, and greater efficiency in many industries.
Thanks to machine learning and deep learning, AI applications can learn from data and results in near real time, analysing new information from many sources and adapting accordingly, with a level of accuracy that's invaluable to business”.
Magda King, ISL Talent
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