How Can AI Help Shape the Future of Brighton & Hove?
On a bright spring evening in Brighton, a group of academics, business leaders, technologists, and community organisers gathered to explore a big question:
How can artificial intelligence be used to positively transform life in our city?
Hosted by Rose Tighe and Martin Howe from Brighton AI, this event marked a milestone in a six-month journey exploring how Brighton & Hove could take a more proactive, inclusive approach to AI adoption. The tone? Open, thoughtful, and grounded in possibility—not hype.
Setting the Scene: Guiding Principles for AI in Cities
Kicking off the evening, Rose and Martin reflected on the conversations and collaborations that had led to this point- from grassroots Meetups to strategic roundtables. Their goal has remained clear: to understand how AI can be used not just in Brighton & Hove, but for Brighton & Hove.
Keynote speaker Katherine Church (KC Digital Consultancy) built on that by offering a big-picture view. She shared insights on how change happens in complex systems like cities, and how AI will inevitably influence those dynamics - whether we’re ready for it or not. Her message was clear: if we want to shape that future, we need to engage now.
Opportunities, Partnerships, and Local Strengths
The first panel turned its focus to local innovation.
Stuart Hedley (University of Brighton) explained how the university is partnering with businesses to support applied research and innovation, and what funding routes exist to support local AI exploration.
Maria Bedoya (Sussex Innovation Centre) shared recent research identifying three major opportunity areas for AI in the Sussex region, showing how our unique local strengths - creative industries, health, and sustainability - can align with the UK’s broader innovation agenda.
The Case for Change, and Why Now Matters
In the second panel, Richard Freeman (Always Possible) raised a challenge familiar to many locals: the Brighton Paradox - a city bursting with talent and creativity, yet often struggling to translate that into scalable impact. But he also argued that this is precisely the moment to change that, as AI creates new tools and new roles for collaboration between sectors.
Grace Prior (Silicon Brighton) followed with an exciting vision for how the city’s tech cluster could support this change - helping connect the dots between grassroots activity and strategic planning, and ensuring that Brighton doesn’t just follow trends, but shapes them.
Finishing on a Note of Possibility
The evening wrapped with audience Q&A and final reflections from Rose and Martin. Rather than diving into the technical side of AI, the discussion stayed focused on the bigger picture:
What does an inclusive AI-powered city look like?
How do we ensure AI works with people and not just for efficiency?
And what’s our role, as individuals and organisations, in shaping this future?
What’s Next?
This event made one thing clear: Brighton & Hove has the talent, creativity, and community spirit to lead in responsible AI innovation—but it’ll take collaboration, experimentation, and a willingness to start small.
If you care about the future of our city and want to be part of the conversation, now’s the time to get involved.
