In Spring 2025, the South West experienced the future first-hand at LifeIn AI – the region’s premiere artificial intelligence event, held at the cutting-edge Market Hall in Devonport, Plymouth.
Headline partnered by Devon & Somerset LSIP and Devon Chamber of Commerce, and delivered in collaboration with Smart Working Revolution and Tomlinson Solutions, this free one-day event welcomed hundreds of attendees eager to explore how AI is shaping the world of work, technology, creativity and wellbeing.
With a full schedule of keynote talks, interactive workshops, live demonstrations and immersive experiences, LifeIn AI brought together businesses, educators, students, jobseekers and curious minds of all ages for a day of learning, connection and innovation.
Bringing AI to Life
Attendees were greeted by a robotic dog capable of collecting farming data – and doing backflips. Nearby, another robot, designed to help combat loneliness, interacted with visitors, showcasing the emotional potential of AI in healthcare and community settings.
The University of Plymouth’s innovative contributions were just the beginning. Visitors also experienced augmented reality goggles allowing them to explore underwater environments, “clicking” on fish to learn more, and ventured into the 360° immersive dome, which screened engaging AI-themed content throughout the day.
Hands-on exhibits were a major draw, giving people the chance to trial emerging tech, ask questions, and imagine what AI could mean for their futures.
Skills, Innovation and Strategy: AI on the Agenda
The keynote stage featured a range of talks that explored how AI is transforming careers and industries. The day opened with The Intelligence of Together – a powerful session led by Ronnie Carter (Devon & Somerset LSIP) and Josh Hoole (Smart Working Revolution), exploring collaboration as a strategic advantage in the age of AI.
From there, keynote speakers tackled essential topics including:
- The Future of Jobs in an AI-First World
- How AI is Unlocking Small Business Potential
- Digital Marketing & AI Integration
- Can We Trust AI?
- The Biology-AI Connection in a Changing World
Speakers from Tech South West, Optix Solutions, Cosmic, Heart of the South West Growth Hub, and Phenomyx CIC helped attendees unpack the ethical, commercial and scientific implications of artificial intelligence.
Interactive Learning for All
Upstairs, a series of workshops and practical sessions invited people to roll up their sleeves and test AI tools for themselves.
Highlights included:
- Shadow AI to Strategic Superpower with Josh Hoole – a practical look at harnessing AI in the workplace
- AI Image Generation – led by City College Plymouth, empowering creatives to turn hand-drawn sketches into digital art using AI
- AI Agents & Automation with Inovara – showing how AI can save time and streamline workflows
- The AI Circus – a metaphorical journey through what to embrace (and what to avoid) when bringing AI into your business
Workshops from Elixel, Plymouth Business School, GE HealthCare, and others brought AI’s possibilities to life in practical, digestible ways.
And we ended the day with a recorded podcast that will be available soon to view and listen, led by Pual Philpott from Fresh Air Studios.
Why This Matters for LSIP
For Devon & Somerset LSIP, LifeIn AI couldn’t have come at a better time. A recent study by Accenture revealed that 97% of businesses know they urgently need to adopt AI, but just 15% feel ready to do so.
This event was a perfect fit with LSIP’s mission to strengthen regional skills through real-world business insights. LifeIn AI helped bridge the knowledge gap and highlighted the need for upskilling, reskilling, and strategic thinking around digital transformation.
As AI continues to shape the way we live and work, events like these play a crucial role in ensuring our region isn’t left behind. They give local people access to the tools, insight and confidence to embrace the future.
Ronnie Carter, Executive and Project Manager for the Devon & Somerset LSIP, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be the headline partner of LifeIn AI.
“Events like this are essential for bringing AI into the mainstream – not as something to fear, but something we can all use to grow, adapt and thrive.
“From primary school students to business leaders, today showed just how vital it is that we prepare our region with the skills and confidence to engage with these new technologies.”
