Milton Keynes City Council – Milton Keynes AI (MKAI) Festival

Milton Keynes City Council staged the Milton Keynes AI (MKAI) Festival from 28 October to 1 November 2024, a celebration of the city's standing as a dynamic hub for artificial intelligence. The festival proved a resounding success, attracting over 2,300 attendees. With a carefully curated programme, the event catered to a diverse audience, ranging from students keen to learn to tech executives seeking cutting-edge insights. The council's commitment to delivering real value to all attendees, regardless of their AI expertise, underscored its dedication to enriching the lives of Milton Keynes’ residents.

Milton Keynes has firmly established itself as a key location in the global AI landscape, notably hosting the landmark AI Safety Summit in November 2023. This influential event culminated in the signing of the Bletchley Declaration, a historic agreement by over 30 nations. The declaration cemented a collective resolve to proactively identify AI safety risks through rigorous research and to develop robust, risk-based policies to ensure the responsible advancement of AI. The 2024 MKAI Festival served as a significant commemoration of the Bletchley Declaration's first anniversary. Beyond mere reflection, the festival was strategically designed to propel the region forward, exploring how Milton Keynes can leverage its established relationship with AI and emerging technologies to generate lasting benefits for both the council and its citizens.

The MKAI Festival was driven by three key objectives, all of which were successfully achieved:

• to elevate Milton Keynes' profile as a city at the forefront of innovation and business
• to provide accessible and enriching learning experiences for all, from senior executives to students
• to foster collaborative partnerships within the city's tech community.

These objectives directly support the council’s Technology, Smart City, Digital and Creative Industries Strategy, which aims to establish Milton Keynes as a globally recognised leader in AI and technological advancement.

The festival was delivered by the council’s economic development team, whose remit includes nurturing tech ecosystems and communities. This work is integral to attracting businesses to the city, thereby contributing to the council’s regenerative programmes for the city's high streets. This, in turn, supports the council’s wider ambition to position Milton Keynes as a leading destination for innovation and employment, as well as a thriving residential centre.

Spanning a week, the MKAI Festival featured 14 distinct events, each supported by corporate sponsorship and the National Barclays Ecosystem Partnership Programme secured by the council, ensuring the festival's sustainable delivery. These events varied significantly in format and target audience, encompassing:

• a conference hosted by the Open University, delivering high-calibre sessions designed for broad accessibility, which attracted 300 delegates
• a VIP opening reception at Bletchley Park, attended by 110 tech leaders and executives and featuring a line-up of prominent speakers
• a hackathon, bringing together students and developers to collaboratively create AI solutions aimed at enhancing city services and infrastructure through the councils Smart City Initiatives
• "MK Innovates", a multi-day careers event designed to showcase STEM career opportunities to underrepresented groups, engaging 1,000 students and 300 women
• the festival culminated in the launch of the UK's inaugural Smart City Experience Centre (SMCCL) within centre:mk, a top 10 UK shopping centre, offering visitors interactive demonstrations of city-wide technologies
• the week also featured a number of additional events with the HMGCC, Santander, PWC and additional educational institutions.

The events addressed a wide spectrum of AI-related topics, including ethics and public perception, business applications, governance, regulation and more. The selection of these topics was carefully considered to provide learning opportunities and entry points for attendees of all experience levels. A key objective was to showcase the regional innovation landscape and local organisations, which the festival successfully achieved.

Milton Keynes City Council maintains strong partnerships with local businesses to foster a thriving tech ecosystem and community within the city. The city already boasts a significant concentration of technology companies, with one in three jobs being technology related. Several prominent organisations have their headquarters in Milton Keynes, including Red Bull Racing, the Open University, Santander, Rightmove, Aiimi, Envisics, and HMGCC. Furthermore, a burgeoning community of SMEs and medium-sized enterprises is developing in the region. The council is actively committed to supporting and nurturing this growth, with the ambition of establishing Milton Keynes as a world-leading technology city. This involves creating a compelling environment and ensuring the necessary infrastructure is in place for businesses to flourish.

Consequently, the council is strategically leveraging AI to further enhance the city’s growing technology profile and solidify its reputation as a prime location for technology organisations. For instance, the deliberate timing of the MKAI Festival, coinciding with the first anniversary of the Bletchley Declaration, served to reassert the city’s technological heritage and elevate its profile. The festival unexpectedly drawing attendees from across the UK, who came to discover the city’s offerings.

Looking ahead, the council is proactively addressing upcoming infrastructure projects, notably the proposed Oxford-Cambridge highway and East West Rail, which is set to pass through the region. They are strategically considering how to maximise the growth potential this development presents for the city, ensuring Milton Keynes is recognised as a hub for both work and innovation, rather than solely as a residential location.

The successful execution of the MKAI Festival, and the promotion of AI's benefits to local residents, relied heavily on effective partnerships between the council and local businesses. The council plays a central role in shaping the local technology ecosystem, collaborating with two high-performing regional investment groups to achieve shared objectives. These collaborative efforts are mutually beneficial, with the council convening regular roundtables to understand the challenges faced by tech companies and identify areas for support. Issues such as workforce development and retention, which align with broader council strategies, are frequently addressed. The council acts as a key facilitator, connecting businesses to foster knowledge sharing and strengthen the local economy.

Furthermore, these partnerships enabled the festival to operate without placing a financial burden on the council. A significant portion of the event was funded by a Barclays Tech Ecosystem Grant, covering five of the 14 events and additional costs like marketing. Other partners sponsored specific events, ensuring the festival's sustainable delivery within the council's existing budget.

The MKAI Festival was intentionally structured to offer diverse entry points into the world of AI, ensuring broad accessibility. This commitment to inclusivity was evident in the variety of session formats and objectives. Certain sessions were specifically tailored for individuals with minimal or no prior AI knowledge, aiming to introduce essential tech skills. Other events, such as the VIP reception, provided valuable networking and knowledge exchange opportunities for more experienced attendees. This deliberate approach resulted in an event that delivered meaningful value to all participants, regardless of their background or expertise.

The launch of the Smart City Experience Centre by Smart City Consultancy Ltd within centre:mk played a crucial role in further promoting inclusivity. By situating the centre within a familiar and accessible shopping environment, the festival successfully engaged individuals from diverse backgrounds who might not typically interact with such technologies. This strategic location ensured that a wider spectrum of the community could experience and appreciate the advancements showcased, fostering a more inclusive understanding of AI and its potential.

The council has gained valuable insights into the effectiveness of this event format and is eager to build upon its success. In response to participant feedback, plans are underway to expand the scope of next year's event series, encompassing a broader spectrum of digital technologies, solidifying Milton Keynes' position as a leading technology hub.