An Evening with Peter Kyle…

Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Science Innovation & Technology

What We Learned from Peter Kyle’s Fireside Chat on AI & Innovation

May’s Fireside Chat on AI & Innovation with Peter Kyle - MP for Hove and Portslade and the UK’s Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology - was full of thoughtful and candid takes on where the UK’s headed with AI.

Speaking to a diverse local crowd of researchers, educators, nonprofit leaders, professionals, and tech folk, Kyle laid out the government’s evolving approach to AI as a driver of change - not just in business, but across public services, education, and national infrastructure.

Here’s a quick round-up of the highlights:

🚀 AI as a Growth Engine

Kyle made it clear: AI is central to how the UK plans to grow its economy. The government’s strategy focuses on creating the right conditions for innovation to thrive, with initiatives like AI Growth Zones aiming to support local clusters and scale-ups around the country.

🏛 Modernising Public Services

He also spoke candidly about the need to modernise government from within. From streamlining services to tackling inefficiencies, AI is being seen as a practical tool to rethink how government works for citizens - and to do it with a lot more empathy and agility.

🧠 Rethinking Education for the AI Era

Education got special attention, too. Kyle acknowledged we need to move faster in preparing young people - and educators - for an AI-shaped future. That means rethinking the curriculum, giving teachers the tools and confidence to explore AI, and opening up space for creativity and critical thinking, not just tech skills.

🌍 Responsible AI, Rooted in Reality

There was no glossing over the challenges. Kyle spoke about the energy demands of large-scale AI, the ethical questions it raises, and the real social risks if we get it wrong. But he also struck a hopeful tone, pointing to AI’s potential to solve tough societal problems - from healthcare and climate to accessibility and inclusion.

🤝 A More Inclusive Innovation Ecosystem

Finally, Kyle made a strong case for diversity in innovation. Whether you’re a teacher, policy officer, data scientist, or community organiser, your voice matters in how AI is shaped and used. The future of AI, he argued, can’t just be built by tech companies - it needs to be co-created by all of us.

In a nutshell?

AI’s not just for Silicon Valley - it’s for schools, councils, charities, and communities too. If we work together, there’s real potential to make it a force for public good.

We’ll be unpacking more of these ideas in future events - watch this space!