AI & Cybersecurity Summit

From Hype to Hard Decisions

Lancashire is increasingly at the centre of the AI and cyber conversation.

With the emergence of the National Cyber Force HQ, strong higher and further education institutions, and a growing number of businesses actively deploying AI and digital technologies, the county now faces a critical challenge: how to turn ambition into delivery, without increasing risk.

At the same time, businesses are under pressure to move quickly. Decisions about AI adoption, automation, data use and cyber resilience are being made now, often in the absence of clear benchmarks, shared learning or trusted peer insight.

The pace of change is creating opportunity, but also exposing gaps in skills, governance and confidence.

The AI & Cyber Summit is designed to address that challenge head-on.

 This event is for businesses that are:

• Already using AI and automation.
• Actively considering adoption.
• Responsible for cyber security, data, productivity and resilience.
• Attendance is intentionally controlled.
• Suppliers are not admitted unless sponsoring or exhibiting.

This ensures a room built around decision-makers.

 The purpose

This summit is not about future hype or generic tech showcases. It is about:

• How businesses are actually implementing AI and cyber solutions.
• Where productivity gains are being realised, and where they are not.
• How organisations are managing skills, governance and risk in real environments.
• What support ecosystems genuinely help businesses move forward
• The focus is practical, evidence-led and grounded in lived experience.

The format:

The AI & Cyber Summit is designed as a focused morning business conversation, moving from context to reality to action.

Arrival and networking (08:30–09:00)

Welcome and scene-setting (09:00–09:15)
Sets the context for the morning, why AI and cyber matter now, why Lancashire is part of the national picture, and what the event is designed to achieve.

Panel A: Skills, training and support (09:15–09:45)
Explores the ecosystem around AI and cyber adoption.
This session focuses on how businesses build capability, keep staff skilled, safe and productive, and where education, training and external support can genuinely help.

Presentation: Real-world cyber risk (09:45–10:00) - Seriun
A focused presentation that bridges discussion and delivery.
Grounds the conversation in live cyber risk, current threats and real business behaviour, setting up the next session with practical context.

Panel B: Implementation and results (10:00–10:30)
Hears directly from businesses actively using AI, cyber and digital technologies.
This session focuses on what is working, what has been difficult, what has delivered results, and what lessons others can learn.

Audience interaction (10:30–10:45)
For delegates to contribute their own questions, challenges and observations, helping shape the conclusions of the morning.

Wrap and close (10:45–11:00)
Draws out key themes, highlights shared challenges and opportunities, and sets out how the conversation will continue through editorial and follow-on activity.

 This event is in association with Blackburn College, Seriun and the University of Lancashire.