London Tech Week is set to be a major event this summer, with speakers from the government and various industries coming together to discuss the UK’s AI ambitions and other pressing topics in the tech world. The event, which will take place at Kensington’s Olympia venue in June, has seen a significant increase in demand, almost doubling in size from last year. This growth can be attributed to the record-breaking $13bn (£10bn) of venture capital funding for London start-ups in 2023.
Last year, London Tech Week attracted 15,000 attendees over three days, but this year, at least 25,000 are expected to visit. With fringe events also taking place throughout the week, the total number of attendees could reach as high as 45,000. Carolyn Dawson, chief executive of London Tech Week organizer the Founders Forum Group, expressed excitement about the event’s eleventh year, noting the tremendous interest and high government involvement seen in the previous year.
The event has garnered attention not only from tech companies but also from UK-based companies looking to showcase how they are utilizing technology to gain a competitive edge. Festival director David Monaghan highlighted the importance of demonstrating the UK’s leadership in both inventing new tech and implementing it at scale. This year’s London Tech Week will feature speakers discussing AI innovation, the quest for artificial general intelligence (AGI), and intellectual property protection, among other topics.
Attendees can look forward to hearing from big-name speakers such as executives from Google Deepmind, Monzo, IBM, and Microsoft UK CEO Clare Barclay. Barclay emphasized the importance of advancing the UK’s AI ambitions to remain internationally competitive. Smaller companies, like British unicorn Quantexa and American HR tech company Deel, are also eager to participate in the event and share their insights on the latest innovations in AI and tech.
London Tech Week provides a platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration among tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders. With the Olympia venue undergoing a £1bn regeneration to become a hub of art, culture, education, entertainment, and work, this year’s event promises to be even more dynamic and engaging. Attendees can expect proactive discussions on AI, innovation, and responsible tech development, as well as opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals and organizations driving the future of technology in the UK and beyond.