Birmingham Tech Week to bring AI, investment and international delegates to city

Birmingham Tech Week returns from 19 to 23 October with more than 35 events examining artificial intelligence, cyber security, investment and digital skills across the West Midlands.

Organised by TechWM, the five-day festival will bring together technology businesses, investors, researchers and policymakers at venues including the ICC, Birmingham Rep, The Studio and Eastside Rooms. Thousands of delegates are expected, with international participation from countries including China, India and South Korea.

This year’s theme, Fast Forward, focuses on how organisations can respond to technological change and turn emerging technologies into practical business applications. The programme has been shaped by discussions with the regional technology community, with particular attention to AI adoption, business growth and workforce development.

The event comes as the West Midlands looks to increase the commercial impact of its technology sector. TechWM’s 2026 West Midlands Tech Review values the regional digital economy at £15.8bn, while technology scaleups generate more than £10.3bn in annual turnover.

AI adoption and business growth

Artificial intelligence will feature throughout the programme, with sessions examining its use in business operations, education, creative industries and public services. Discussions will consider how companies can introduce AI into existing processes while addressing issues around security, accessibility and trust.

Frontiers Day will explore the relationship between technology and creative industries, including educational technology, gaming, culture and sport. Sessions will examine how AI is changing learning, how gaming expertise can be applied to defence and how businesses can develop technology that maintains user confidence.

The CreaTech Expo will showcase projects supported by CreaTech Frontiers, connecting businesses developing creative technologies with potential collaborators and funders. Other events will examine opportunities in financial technology, healthcare and clean energy, reflecting the range of industries adopting digital systems across the region.

Investment and international business development will also form part of the programme. Overseas delegates will meet regional founders, investors and established companies to explore commercial partnerships, while sessions will examine the challenges technology businesses face when expanding beyond their initial markets.

The festival’s sponsors include Cisco, HSBC UK, Lloyds Banking Group, Goldman Sachs, Arup and WM5G.

Digital skills and access to technology

Tech For All, taking place at Eastside Rooms on 20 October, will examine digital exclusion, inclusive AI and accessibility. The event will bring together technology companies, educators, community organisations and policymakers to discuss how new technologies can be developed and introduced without creating additional barriers for users.

Its programme includes discussions about neurodiversity in technology workplaces, opportunities for underrepresented founders and routes into digital careers. Demonstrations will also feature products designed to support accessibility and independent use of digital services.

Future Leaders will focus on people aged 16 to 24, exploring how AI and other technologies could affect employment and the skills required by future workers. The discussions will consider how education providers and employers can prepare young people for changes in the technology labour market.

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker is among the scheduled speakers. During Birmingham Tech Week in 2025, he announced the West Midlands Artificial Intelligence Missions programme, setting out plans to increase AI adoption across employment, education, public services and business.

This year’s event will provide an opportunity to examine progress towards those ambitions, alongside the practical barriers facing organisations introducing AI into their operations.

Regional technology development

The festival will also examine how the West Midlands can build on its existing strengths in manufacturing, engineering, financial services and research. Sessions will consider the role of universities, established businesses and smaller technology companies in developing products and bringing them to market.

TechSparx has previously reported on the region’s plans to strengthen its digital workforce through a new skills consortium. Announced during Birmingham Tech Week 2025, the initiative brought together education providers, employers and regional organisations to address skills shortages and improve access to technology careers. The continued focus on digital skills in this year’s programme reflects the importance of workforce development to the region’s wider technology ambitions.

Birmingham Tech Week will conclude on Friday 23 October, with the Birmingham Tech Week Awards recognising businesses and individuals working across the regional technology sector.

The full programme and registration details are available through Birmingham Tech Week.