Meet our Sponsors and where they will be on the day
The Ministry of Defence: Driving Defence Innovation and Regional Growth as part of Team Plymouth
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is a Supporting Sponsor for “LifeIn AI 2026”. As a core part of Team Plymouth, the MOD is supporting a number of activities on the day…
12:00- 12:45: Team Plymouth Panel (Keynote area)
Accelerating Growth: How AI and Technology are Shaping the Future Economy
wWth Babcock International Group, Rebecca Smith MP, University of Plymouth and Tech South West. Hosted by Vicky Cope, Partnership Director at Team Plymouth
Experience a lively, fascinating and thought-provoking panel session with leaders and experts from across the South West that encompasses business, politics, technology and much more. This talk will explore how artificial intelligence and new technologies drive economic growth and change modern business. Expect the panel to discuss practical ways companies use automation, data analytics and digital tools to boost productivity, create new markets and solve global challenges in a fast-changing digital world. Bring your best questions too so you can ask the panel a challenging poser about AI, tech and the future economy.
14:30 - 15:00: AI For Everyone Workshop (Workshop room)
With University of Plymouth’s Vicki Kennedy and Babcock AI expert Liam Palette
Curious about Artificial Intelligence but not sure where to start? Join this fast-paced, interactive session designed to show how AI can support everyday life, learning and work. Through live demonstrations and practical examples, attendees will discover how different AI tools can help with common everyday tasks. Liam Palette, AI expert from Babcock International Group, will share practical tips on how to get the best results from AI, including the simple techniques behind effective prompt writing and how to use AI responsibly and confidently. Whether you’re completely new to AI or already experimenting with it, this session will help you unlock its potential and discover how AI can work for you.
Team Plymouth Interactive ‘AI for Everyone’ Market Stall (Ground Floor)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is a key member of Team Plymouth, which will also host a Business-to-Business Market Stall on the Ground Floor.
This is an opportunity to learn more about how organisations across the city and region are working together to drive sustainable and inclusive growth, foster innovation and create new opportunities for businesses and communities. On the day, Team Plymouth will focus on making AI accessible to everyone, showcasing how artificial intelligence can support everyday life, learning and work.
Through interactive demonstrations of tools such as Copilot and Gemini, visitors can explore practical uses for AI, from planning holidays and family meals to drafting emails, revising for exams and generating new ideas.
Supported by students from City College Plymouth, attendees will gain hands-on experience of effective prompting techniques and discover how AI can save time, improve productivity and unlock new possibilities for people of all ages and backgrounds.
About the Ministry of Defence
The MOD is sewn into the South West’s ecosystem and is at the forefront of innovative tech and AI. It operates HMNB Devonport — just around the corner from Market Hall — which is the largest operational naval base in Western Europe. The MOD is also a key part of Team Plymouth.
Team Plymouth marks a historic moment for our city, the peninsula and the wider South West. It brings together the MOD with Plymouth City Council, Babcock, universities, colleges and a growing network of partners. Together, we are creating opportunity, driving innovation and delivering lasting prosperity for our communities.
Through the Defence Industrial Strategy and the Defence Growth Deal, Plymouth has been selected as one of the first locations to benefit from significant investment. This is about more than defence. It is about creating high-skilled jobs, supporting industry, modernising infrastructure, building new homes and fostering economic growth that reaches every part of the city and the wider region.