United Kingdom-based innovation community, Tech Derby successfully hosted its 2026 conference at Vaillant Live in Derby as part of East Midlands Tech Week, bringing together technology leaders, founders, academics, investors, professionals, students and community stakeholders to explore the future of artificial intelligence, innovation and the next digital economy.
Tech Derby is a growing technology and innovation community based in Derby, England, created to support founders, professionals, students, businesses and career switchers across the East Midlands. Through meetups, conferences, accelerator programmes, technical training and ecosystem partnerships, Tech Derby is helping to build a stronger local digital economy.
The conference, themed “AI & the Next Digital Economy: Innovation, Opportunities and Responsible Governance,” created an important platform for conversations around the role of technology in business growth, skills development, responsible AI adoption, regional innovation and the future of work.
The event featured keynote contributions and panel discussions from leading voices across academia, enterprise, investment, fintech, technology and the wider innovation ecosystem. Speakers explored how AI is transforming industries, how businesses can remain competitive in a fast-changing digital economy, and how the East Midlands can build the talent, infrastructure and partnerships needed to thrive.
