Meet our Sponsors and where they will be on the day
From AI Innovation to Real-World Impact
Join us at “LifeIn AI 2026” as Microsoft explores how AI can transform the way we work, build skills and create opportunity. From practical insight into Copilot and the future of work to an important conversation on inclusive innovation in the South West, discover what meaningful AI adoption could look like for your organisation and community.
Join our Workshop in the Boardroom and Women in AI Panel in the Keynote Area — please be there 10 minutes early…
11:00 - 12:00: Copilot in action: The future of work (Boardroom)
Workshop with Richard Potter, Director of Digital Strategy at Microsoft, and John Childs, Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft
Work is being rewired, from AI that assists with tasks to AI that can take action on our behalf. This session is an honest look at where that’s heading, not a product tour.
We’ll explore how AI is changing the way work gets done, share some of the highest value use cases we’re seeing today and look at how leading organisations are approaching agentic adoption. Come away with a clearer understanding of what’s possible now, what’s coming next and where the biggest opportunities may lie for your organisation.
15:30 - 16:15: Women in AI Panel: Innovation, Opportunity and the Future of the South West
This panel talk includes panellists Dr Laura Dawkins, Science Fellow for AI in Products and Services at the Met Office; Vicky Cope, Partnership Director at Team Plymouth; Caitlin Gould, Founder of the TECwomen CIC; and Dr Dena Bazazian, Lecturer in Robotics and Machine Vision at the University of Plymouth. Moderated by Jess Coomer, Social Value Manager at Microsoft.
Join panellists working across research, education, industry and community-led innovation for a conversation about AI, opportunity and the future in the South West.
Drawing on their own experiences and perspectives, they’ll explore how AI is evolving, why diverse voices and experiences matter and what can help more people build the skills, confidence and opportunities to participate in shaping its future.
About Microsoft
Microsoft is a global technology company with a strong presence in the South West, embedding AI across its products and services through innovations such as Copilot and Azure AI.
Microsoft transforms the way people live, work, play and connect through great technology. We’re driven by a genuine belief that we can change the world for the better - advancing cloud and AI, creating new ways for people to interact with technology at home, at work and on the move, and helping transform education and public services while supporting the UK economy.
Microsoft AI brings intelligence into the flow of work, grounded in your data and built on trust, so organisations can move beyond efficiency to drive growth, innovation and meaningful outcomes. But technology is only ever as good as people’s ability to use it well.
Microsoft has helped more than 1.5 million people gain AI skills so far, working with a wide range of organisations and providing resources such as Microsoft’s AI Skills Navigator to help reach more people.
Visit the Microsoft UK website for the latest AI insights, career stories, skills resources and examples of how technology is creating opportunities for people, businesses and communities across the UK.
Looking to build your digital and AI skills? Visit South West Connector to discover regional opportunities, explore learning and career pathways and access AI-powered tools designed to help you navigate learning, careers, and future opportunities.