Plymouth is set to once again become an exciting, dynamic and interactive hub of Artificial Intelligence with the return of the South West’s biggest major FREE open-access AI event.
“LifeIn AI 2026 in Partnership with Babcock” will allow visitors to experience the future firsthand with AI robots and demonstrations, AI keynote talks, immersive 360° dome shows, business and education stands, and hands-on workshops led by industry experts that will showcase the cutting-edge technology being developed here in the South West.
Devon Chamber of Commerce has agreed to become the Official Live Broadcast Partner for the event – with Fresh Air Studios producing and hosting four live video podcast discussions from LifeIn AI during the day on our LinkedIn and Facebook channels.
Taking place on Wednesday 23 September, 2026, between 10am and 5pm at Plymouth’s Market Hall in Devonport – a leading venue for digital and tech conferences – this FREE to attend event, supported by a multitude of sponsors and partners including Babcock International Group and Team Plymouth, will provide access to interactive AI experiences for businesses, creatives, academics, students and the general public alike, transforming the historic venue into a vibrant hub of innovation.
The event follows on from a highly successful inaugural event – “LifeIn AI 2025” – which took place at Market Hall in April 2025.
More than 300 people packed the venue for that first event, prompting organisers to ensure that this September’s “LifeIn AI 2026” will be bigger, better and much more varied than before.
Watch the video highlights from ‘LifeIn AI 2025’
The event is free to attend but you must register via Eventbrite beforehand. Anyone, of any age and background, can come along to catch the robots, demonstrations, talks, workshops and more. You can stay all day or just pop in for the activities you want to catch.
Andrew Munday, Babcock’s Global Technology Director, says: “Babcock is committed to both investing in and supporting technologies like AI and using them to make a difference to the world we live in, whether that’s creating technology solutions to support our British Armed Forces in protecting our nation, or working directly with our SME and supply chain finding new and innovative ways of working together.
“I’m delighted we’ll be joining our partners at Team Plymouth for this event, and working with regional businesses to discuss the role AI can play in the future of the nation.”
A flavour of “LifeIn AI 2026 in partnership with Babcock“
- AI-powered humanoid robots, robot dogs, robotic arms, medical robots and autonomous vehicles
- AI-powered 360° screenings in Europe’s largest immersive Dome, including a live music performance using quantum computers and AI, and a special screening that dives beneath the Plymouth Sound waves
- VR demonstrations, including VR Welding with the Babcock team and a “Body language, immersion and AI-lived experiences” VR demo, plus a unique AI-powered “Stock Market Attack Simulation Area”
- Keynote speeches and panel debates from some of the leading AI experts and practitioners across the South West
- Interactive and engaging workshops covering subjects like ‘AI for Everyone’, cybersecurity, Microsoft Copilot, building AI tools and how to process sensisitve data with AI models
- A Digital Plymouth Track full of fascinating workshops from the city technology network and event partners
- A B2B MarketPlace for AI solutions, courses and advice on your doorstep
- New for 2026: An AI Education Zone for students who want to learn and upskill
- New for 2026: Livestream Broadcast Podcasts for businesses to showcase themselves and their innovations — this connects the event to the wider region and people who can’t make it to the day
