Eastbourne Digifest 2025: Why AI is the Conversation Every Sussex Business Leader Needs to Have

Artificial Intelligence has quickly moved from buzzword to daily reality.

For many businesses, the question is no longer whether AI will affect their organisation but on what timeline and to what extent. From leadership and workforce change to security and customer experience, the AI era is already here and for businesses across Sussex, staying ahead of the curve is essential.

That is why Eastbourne DigiFest 2025, The Tech Conference for Business, organised by Chalk Eastbourne and sponsored by East Sussex Growth Hub, Lightning Fibre and Switchplane among others, has chosen AI as one of its central themes. The event, taking place this October, brings together industry experts, entrepreneurs and business leaders to explore the technologies shaping our future.

Sussex is home to a diverse economy from advanced manufacturing and retail to creative industries and professional services. Each of these sectors is already being reshaped by AI. According to a government survey on AI activity in UK businesses, around 15% of firms have already adopted some form of AI with the highest uptake in information and communication sectors.

The danger is not being too early but being left behind. Those that hesitate risk losing ground to more agile rivals.

By bringing global voices into a regional setting, Eastbourne DigiFest helps level the playing field. It gives local companies access to insights that would otherwise require expensive trips to London or international conferences.

This year, AI takes centre stage with talks designed to be thought-provoking, practical and relevant to businesses of all shapes and sizes.

One of the strongest themes is leadership. Paul Hetherington, Vistage Chair and Non-Executive Director at BRE Group, will explore how AI is changing the very nature of work in “Leading People in the Age of AI: Navigating the Brave New World of Work.” As roles, responsibilities and workplace culture evolve, leaders must support their teams through change while keeping people at the heart of progress. Paul’s talk provides practical advice on how to lead with confidence in uncertain times, a skill every business will need to master.

Equally urgent are the questions of responsibility and trust. Glenn Chilcott, an AI policy advisor and Founding Director at First Avenue, will address “Responsible AI: The Role of Ethics, Regulation and Governance.” As scrutiny of AI systems grows, businesses will be judged not only on what they achieve with AI but on how they achieve it. Glenn’s session will guide companies on adopting new technologies responsibly while maintaining the confidence of customers and employees alike.

For those curious about what AI can actually do, Russ Miles, Technical Product Owner and author, will bring a developer’s perspective with “Build Smarter: AI Agent Engineering for Developers.” His session shows how AI agents – the next big step in growing AI capabilities – can solve real-world problems, streamlining operations, personalising customer journeys or creating new services.

Another powerful perspective comes from Tim Jameson, Managing Director of AxisOps. In “AI and the Future of Being Human”, he explores a profound question: if AI shaped every choice you made, from what you eat to how you run your business, would life feel easier or emptier? Tim argues that while AI creates extraordinary possibilities, it risks diminishing qualities like critical thinking, resilience and creativity.

Alongside the AI programme, Eastbourne DigiFest will also tackle a subject no business can ignore: cybersecurity. With high-profile breaches making headlines, including the recent incident involving M&S, the risks are closer to home than many leaders would like to believe.

The UK Government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024 reported that 50% of businesses experienced a cyber attack in the past year with SMEs frequently targeted. Kurtis Toy, representing the Cyber Centre of Excellence, will deliver “Hacked? What to do to prevent, survive and thrive in a world facing cybersecurity threats everywhere.” His talk provides both a wake-up call and a practical guide for businesses that need to strengthen their defences. With AI increasingly used on both sides of the cyber battlefield, this session underlines the need for digital strategy and cybersecurity to go hand in hand.

What makes Eastbourne DigiFest so valuable is not just the range of topics but the way they are brought to life by expert speakers. Past events have attracted hundreds of attendees from across the south east and this year promises to be no different. The festival has become a focal point for digital innovation in Sussex, drawing together a community of business leaders who recognise that technology is not a side issue but central to their future.

Eastbourne DigiFest has already established itself as a flagship event for the county, demonstrating how innovation and technology can drive success for local enterprises. By placing AI at the heart of this year’s programme, it reflects both the urgency and the opportunity facing every business.

For leaders determined to future-proof their organisations, the message is clear: the time to engage with AI is now and Eastbourne DigiFest 2025 is the ideal place to start.

Find out more and secure your place at eastbournedigifest.com