Milton Keynes will become the centre of the UK’s technology scene next week when MK Tech Week 2025 launches on Monday (22 September), bringing five days of robotics, artificial intelligence, smart cities and digital innovation.

The festival builds on the success of last year’s Artificial Intelligence Festival, which attracted more than 2,000 attendees. Organised by Milton Keynes City Council, the programme is bigger than ever, designed to showcase cutting-edge technology while opening doors for students, businesses and the wider community.

The week begins at the historic Bletchley Park, once home to World War II codebreakers and the first Global AI Summit, before spreading across the city with a packed schedule of events.

Highlights include:

  • Europe’s largest live Smart City Robotics Competition, hosted at centre:MK, where university teams from across Europe will test their skills in real-world challenges such as drone flying, coffee delivery and home assistance.

  • A high-profile AI Summit, featuring headline speakers from Microsoft and Google.

  • A Dragons’ Den-style pitch event giving startups the chance to secure backing from investors.

  • Hands-on tech experiences for students and the community, plus sessions exploring AI in everyday life, motorsport, robotics, adult learning and gaming.

Some of the UK’s biggest names will take part, including Red Bull Racing & Technologies, Santander UK, His Majesty’s Government Communications Centre (HMGCC), The Open University and Cranfield University, alongside innovative new businesses and entrepreneurs.

“MK Tech Week is about more than technology — it’s about collaboration,” said organisers. “We want to showcase innovation, attract investment, and make sure everyone from schoolchildren to business leaders can engage with the future of tech right here in Milton Keynes.”

Shanika Mahendran, cabinet member for planning and placemaking at Milton Keynes City Council, added:
“Milton Keynes is where the future is being designed and created. We’re really looking forward to showcasing the brilliant minds working on robotics, AI, national security and gaming. Come along to learn why Milton Keynes is the UK’s home of technology and innovation.”

A city built for innovation

Milton Keynes is one of the UK’s fastest-growing cities, recognised for its unique design and thriving tech scene. Its economy is worth more than £16 billion a year, with around 2,400 tech businesses generating £3.4bn in GVA (2022). Around one in three local jobs is in technology, cementing MK’s status as a hub for innovation and growth.

The council’s five-year strategy for tech, smart city innovation, digital and creative industries, launched in 2024, continues to drive momentum and reinforce Milton Keynes’ position as the UK’s home of future-focused industries.

Full programme

Alongside the headline events, MK Tech Week 2025 features a wide range of sessions for businesses, students and the community.

Below is the complete programme of events taking place across Milton Keynes during the week:

Monday 22 September

Marketing Mondays — Tech Week Special (NatWest Accelerator, 10:00)
Hands-on, founder-friendly sessions from the Milton Keynes NatWest Accelerator team to kick off the week. Free to attend at NatWest Milton Keynes (C:MK, door 14).
Book here

Pushing AI to the Edge with HMGCC (Unity Place, 10:00)
A technical look at lower-power ML on devices — from optimised conventional hardware to neuromorphic approaches — run by HMGCC at Unity Place.
Book here

Tuesday 23 September

The Future of Adult & Lifelong Learning in the Age of AI (Open University, 09:00–17:30)
A full-day conference hosted by The Open University (sponsored by Infosys) exploring how AI is reshaping adult learning.
Book here

Tech Tuesdays — MK Tech Week Special (NatWest Accelerator, 10:00)
Weekly “Tech Tuesdays” gets a Tech Week twist — bite-sized learning, community, and networking.
Book here

Smart City Robotics Competition & Exhibition — Day 1 (centre:mk, 10:00–17:00)
One of Europe’s biggest live robotics challenges returns to Middleton Hall with demos, careers expo and public access.
Book here

Smart City & Robotics Symposium — Evening (centre:mk)
An evening symposium embedded in the robotics programme — talks, policy and industry insight.
Book here

Tech Week Special: Business Networking (Bletchley & Fenny, 17:30–18:30)
A Tech Week-themed local business networking hour at DaVinci Café, Queensway.
Book here

Wednesday 24 September

Smart City & Robotics STEM Day (centre:mk, doors 08:30)
Schools and families meet teams, robots and role models; talks with Beverly Clarke MBE.
Book here

Using Debt Finance to Grow Your Technology Business (EMW Law LLP, 09:00–12:00)
Practical funding guidance from the British Business Bank & partners, part of Tech Week’s growth strand.
Book here

Bletchley AI — “The MK Tech Week One” (South Central Institute of Technology, 18:00–20:15)
Community AI talks and discussion, followed by an open-invite social at The Eight Belles.
Book here

Milton Keynes Geek Night #53 — Tech Week Edition (X+Why, Unity Place; doors 18:00, talks 19:30)
Design/creative/digital lightning talks in partnership with All Flows — always a sell-out vibe.
Book here

Thriving in the Age of AI — Unlock opportunities & accelerate career growth (Unity Place, 18:00–23:00)
Careers-oriented evening on building an AI-ready skillset.
Book here

Thursday 25 September

Accelerating AI Conference 2025 — The AI Summit (The Ridgeway Centre, 08:30–14:00)
Big-name speakers (incl. Microsoft & Google) with practical SME case studies, panels and networking — your “AI Summit” call-out.
Book here

Using Equity Finance to Grow Your Technology Business (MK:U Innovation Hub, 09:30–12:30)
British Business Bank session focused on equity options for tech firms.
Book here

Building Safer Digital Futures: Centre for Protecting Women Online (Open University, Hub Theatre, 09:30–12:30)
Interdisciplinary forum on responsible tech & AI to protect women and girls online.
Book here

Smart City Robotics Competition — Heats & Finals (centre:mk, 10:00–finals in the afternoon)
Live heats, demonstrations and awards close out the competition.
Book here

Central Arc Angels — Founders Lounge (14:00, Lake Street Coffee)
A relaxed founders’ drop-in, mentoring and investor chats — part of the growth & funding thread of Tech Week.
Book here

MK Girl Talks Tech (X+Why, Unity Place, 18:00–20:30)
An inclusive, community-driven evening on making tech more accessible and diverse.
Book here

PLAY: New Meta MK — Tech Week Launch (401 Silbury Blvd, from 17:00)
A gaming-community launch tying into Tech Week’s evening social energy.
Book here

Friday 26 September

NatWest Business: Tech Leaders Event — Hosted by Bletchley Park (10:00–12:00)
Bletchley Park hosts the MK Business Leaders Tech Summit to round up the week’s big themes (AI safety, innovation, growth).
Book here

Picture This — Tech Week Edition: Brand Meets Tech (Aiimi, 10:00–13:00)
A creative “lunch & learn” examining where brand storytelling meets new technology; free with optional charity donation.
Book here

MK Tech Week Live Pitch Event — Grand Finale (x+why @ Unity Place, from 17:00)
Ten of MK’s most exciting innovators pitch live for prizes and a People’s Choice award — a high-energy close to the week.
Book here