​ActivateAI: From Hype to Hands-On

​Real tools. Real businesses. Real results for Northern Ireland.

​Activate AI Regional Showcase

​Venue: The Millennium Forum, Derry

​Date: 25 March 2026.

​Time: 9.00am - 12.30pm (with optional post event Demo Arcade and Networking)

​A focused, high-energy morning designed to demonstrate how AI is driving measurable productivity across Northern Ireland and how tech enabled businesses can move from interest to implementation.

​AI is no longer a conversation about the future of business. It is a competitiveness conversation which you should be having today.

​ActivateAI: From Hype to Hands-On brings together business leaders, founders, policymakers and ecosystem partners to showcase how AI is already driving productivity across Northern Ireland.

​This is not theory. It is implementation, case studies and practical next steps.

​This is designed for you if you want to understand how AI can reduce costs, unlock growth and sharpen your competitive edge.

​What to Expect

​✔ Real regional case studies
✔ Established firms sharing productivity gains
✔ Startups building with AI from day one
✔ Practical supports you can access immediately
✔ Launch of the ActivateAI Implementation Toolkit
✔ Direct access to local AI solution providers and supports

​Who Should Attend?

• ​Tech based businesses

• ​Established businesses seeking productivity gains

• ​SMEs exploring AI adoption

• ​Founders and scaleups building AI-enabled products

• ​Policymakers and economic development stakeholders

• ​Investors and ecosystem leaders

​We’ll also officially launch the Activate AI SME Toolkit, a new resource designed to help organisations continue their AI journey with confidence and clarity.

​Agenda

​09:00-10:00 Registration and Networking Breakfast

​Open access to Demo Arcade featuring local AI and tech eco-system supports

​10:00 - 10:05 - Welcome & Introduction, Lynette Fay (MC)

​10:05 - 10.35 Welcome & Global Economic Opportunity of AI in Northern Ireland with Clare McGee and Russ Shaw CBE Founder, Tech London Advocates & Global Tech Advocates

​10:35 - 10:55 Guest Speaker - Ciaran Ryan, OptikAI, Turning Computer Vision into Real Business Advantage

​10:55 - 11:20 Panel 1 - AI in Action: Driving Productivity in Established Firms

• ​Clare Ryan, ITUS Secure Technologies

• ​Darren Laverty, Seating Matters

• ​Leeann Monk, Hard Yards

• ​Mark Johnston, Johnston Financial Solutions Ltd.

​11:20 - 11:45 AI implementation with AICC. Case study presentations to show implications of AI across the Region with Tadhg Hickey & Bronagh Lanigan, AICC

​11:45- 11:50 ActivateAI Toolkit Launch, Sinead Crowley, CoFounder & Director of Community AwakenHub, 

​11:50 - 12:15 Panel 2 - Building with AI from Day One

• ​Omodono Emretane, EmrethinQ Ltd

• ​Mary Blake, SeeMe

• ​Su Jean Ng, Journley Ltd.

• ​Abi George, CareO

​12:15 - 12:30 Opportunity Lens - The Network Effect of AI Adoption with Kelly Hoey in conversation with Lynette Fay

​12:30 - 12:35 Closing remarks

​12:30 - 13:00 Networking & Demo Arcade

​*timings subject to change

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