AI Summit Wales Returns to Newport This Friday to Help SMEs Harness AI

Businesses across Wales are being invited to explore the practical opportunities of artificial intelligence at AI Summit Wales 2026, a one-day event bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, AI practitioners and industry leaders to share real-world insights on adopting AI for growth and competitiveness.

Taking place in Newport this Friday, the event will feature live AI exhibitions, hands-on demonstrations, practical workshops, masterclasses and curated networking opportunities designed to help business leaders understand how AI can be applied across their organisations. Attendees will also have access to smart 1-to-1 meeting matching with fellow business owners and AI experts.

The programme is focused on helping SMEs move beyond AI experimentation and towards measurable business impact. Sessions throughout the day will cover topics including AI strategy, sales automation, operational efficiency, marketing, business planning, investment readiness and the future of agentic AI.

The event opens with a keynote from Newport Council Leader Dimitri Batrouni, who will discuss how Newport is embracing AI to enhance public services, followed by a panel exploring how leading organisations are using AI to drive productivity, improve customer experiences and build competitive advantage.

Speakers include representatives from organisations such as Alacrity Foundation, Newport Council, Foresight Group, Configur, Narwhal Labs, Jam 7, WCS Agency, Right Click Accounting, TownSq and Advisory9, among others.

Highlights from the programme include:

• Planning a 12-month AI implementation roadmap.
• Using AI to support sales and customer engagement.
• Improving profit, cash flow and operational performance through automation.
• Building stronger personal brands in the AI age.
• Creating scalable business plans for AI-enabled growth.
• Preparing for the next wave of agentic AI.
• Understanding what investors look for in AI-driven businesses.
• Building AI-first organisations capable of competing with larger enterprises.
• Exploring AI-powered software development and custom business tools.

The day concludes with a panel discussion examining the biggest opportunities and risks facing SMEs over the next 12 months, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors and AI experts to discuss how businesses can successfully navigate an increasingly AI-driven economy.

Tickets are available from £50 including VAT and include full event admission, access to all sessions, networking lounges, catering, digital networking tools, resource libraries and the innovation expo.

For businesses looking to understand how AI can deliver practical value today while preparing for the opportunities of tomorrow, AI Summit Wales 2026 offers an opportunity to learn from experienced practitioners and connect with the wider Welsh innovation ecosystem.

Register for AI Summit Wales: https://nxtgenai.co.uk/Landing