​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 - 10:20 Welcome & Global Economic Opportunity of AI in Northern Ireland with Clare McGee and Russ Shaw CBE Founder, Tech London Advocates & Global Tech Advocates

​10:20 - 10:40 Guest Speaker - Ciaran Ryan, OptikAI

​10:40 - 11:10 AI implementation with AICC. Case study presentations to show implications of AI across the Region

​11:10 - 11:35 Panel 1 - AI in Action: Driving Productivity in Established Firms

​11:35 - 12:00 Panel 2 - Building with AI from Day One

​12:00 - 12:15 Opportunity Lens - The Network Effect of AI Adoption with Kelly Hoey in conversation with Lynette Fay

​12:15 - 12:30 ActivateAI Toolkit Launch Q&A & Next Steps

​12:30 - 13:15 Networking & Demo Arcade