Milton Keynes City Council have announced plans to host an Artificial Intelligence Festival in the city later this year.
The Milton Keynes AI Festival 2024 will be held from 28 October to 1 November, with the city council intending to put together an exhibition across the city showcasing modern technologies and AI.
Events, conferences, and hackathons will be running across the city, hosted by major organisations including Bletchley Park (where the Festival will formally open), The Open University, Connected Places Catapult, Aiimi and His Majesty’s Government Communications Centre (HMGCC) – others to be confirmed. A full programme will be published on the Protospace website closer to the event.
This event follows on from an AI Safety Summit held by the British government at Bletchley Park, last year which saw global leaders in government and technology attend to discuss the future of AI.
MK City Council intends for the Festival to be an opportunity for businesses to showcase their AI work, share insights and engage with a diverse audience determined to make the most of the opportunities presented by modern technologies. Organisations are now invited to express an interest in hosting events during the week.
In addition, organisations and businesses are welcome to set up their own fringe events which, while self-funded and separate to the main programme, will be promoted by the city council to help the organisers find a wide audience. Information on how to register interest to host a fringe event is available on the Protospace website.
A key focus of the Festival is to highlight the ongoing work to boost the city’s position as a leader in the tech ecosystem and deliver on the city council’s Technology, Smart City, Digital and Creative Industries Strategy, cementing Milton Keynes’ global reputation as a smart city and the home of innovation.
Cabinet Member for Economy, Sustainability, and Innovation, Cllr Shanika Mahendran, said, “We’re really proud to be at the forefront of the growth in tech and AI. It’s no coincidence that the first multi-national agreement on the future of AI was signed here in Milton Keynes. The Festival will enable us to bring together leading AI and tech developments in MK and across the country, so we can work together to we make the most of these opportunities for our businesses and residents.
“If you’re involved in this area, this is a great opportunity to showcase your work and collaborate with other partners who share the same interests. I would encourage interested businesses to apply to host events, so we can show the world why Milton Keynes is and will always be the home of innovation and high performance technology.”
CEO of Bletchley Park Trust, Iain Standen, added, “It was a privilege for Bletchley Park to be the host location for the world’s first AI Safety Summit in November 2023. As a site that has witnessed the power of human intelligence, emerging technology and collaboration, we recognise the importance of ensuring that AI technology is developed and deployed in a safe and ethical manner. It was incredibly exciting to provide the stage for discussions on global safety standards, which will help everyone manage and monitor the risks of artificial intelligence, and to see this encapsulated in the Bletchley Declaration.
“It was also a huge opportunity to showcase not only Bletchley Park as a museum and visitor attraction, but also the aspirations of Milton Keynes to be a leading city in emerging technology. The Milton Keynes AI Festival 2024, to mark the one-year anniversary of the Summit, is a fantastic opportunity for the city to build on the legacy of this historic event.”
Two men have been arrested following an assault of a man at the Reggae Land Festival in Milton Keynes.
Thames Valley Police confirmed the two arrests were made in connection with an incident that happened at about 8.50pm on Sunday (4/8).
The incident saw a man assaulted in the main arena at The National Bowl, and after medical staff attended the scene, the injured man was taken to hospital with stab wounds. He is now stable and recovering.
Police have confirmed that two men, aged 29 and 31-years-old and both from Milton Keynes, have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, public order offences and drug offences. They both remain in custody.
Investigating officer Detective Inspector Graeme Williams, based at Milton Keynes police station, said, “We understand that this may cause concern to the community but we still believe that this was a targeted attack and there is no risk to festivalgoers or the wider public.
“We have been working very closely with the event organisers and their security team, and we are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident.
“If anyone has mobile phone footage, or anything that may help us with our investigation, please come forward.
“If you witnessed the assault or have any other information and haven’t already spoken to a police officer, please call 101, or visit our website, quoting investigation reference number 20240726-1285.”
Camphill MK have announced the return of their Handmade Craft & Food Fair on Saturday, 9th November 2024, at their Willen Park South site.
Supporting a community that helps adults with learning disabilities find a meaningful working life, they will open their doors to the wider community to celebrate craft, art, and food created by residents and local makers and crafters.
Hosted inside the Chrysalis Milton Keynes community theatre, the mostly indoor event will showcase their artisan baked goods, preserves, and honey—with ingredients harvested from their gardens—as well as traditional textiles and unique one-off art and craft items.
Camphill MK has invited 30 hand-selected local crafters, makers & artisans to join them. Expect street food vendors, crafts, preserves, soaps, candles, textiles, upcycled wood, garden crafts, jewellery, festive gifts, and more to be on offer.
A selection of street food will also be available outside on the grounds, providing delicious, locally made and sourced eats.
Entertainment will come courtesy of local musicians, who will be revealed on the day.
All funds raised will go back into the vibrant charitable community that supports adults with learning disabilities and those who support them.
The free event is family-friendly and open to everyone.
You can find out more on their Facebook Event Page at www.facebook.com/events/479806764792032
MK Dons have signed defender Nico Lawrence, who joins the League Two club on a season-long loan from Southampton.
The 20-year-old is the Dons’ 11th signing ahead of the upcoming 2024/25 season, and he made his first team debut on Saturday during the Dons’ final pre-season friendly as they lost 1-0 to Championship side Plymouth Argyle.
The move will be Lawrence’s third loan move, having previously featured for Torquay United and then Colchester United.
Lawrence had a successful spell with Torquay, winning the Devon club’s Young Player of the Season awards prize, but his spell with Colchester last season was cut short after he suffered an ankle injury after just five games with the Essex club. The defender has recently signed a new two year contract at St Mary’s.
In his arrival interview with the MK Dons website when the deal was announced on Friday (02/08), Lawrence said he was encouraged to move to Milton Keynes after a conversation with the former Dons boss Russell Martin, who now manages the Saints and who achieved promotion to the Premier League with the South Coast club last season.
Lawrence said, “I sat down with Russell Martin for 20-30 minutes to discuss my options, and what would suit me best and help me thrive the most, and obviously it was MK!
“The style of play is something that excites me a lot, it’s similar to Southampton’s style of football, I can’t wait to kick-start and get going!”
Mike Williamson added his delight to confirm Lawrence as his latest new signing.
He said, “Nico is a highly-rated young player who had a few options this summer, so I’m delighted he’s chosen to come here and Southampton have trusted us with his continued development. He possesses the ball skills and vision required to be a real asset to our defence but also has the physicality to compete in League Two, we’re very pleased to have him.”
Police have launched an official investigation after a man suffered stab wounds in an assault at the Reggae Land Festival in Milton Keynes.
The incident was reported to the police at about 8.50pm yesterday evening (4/8), with Thames Valley Police confirming they were informed that a man had been assaulted in the main arena at The National Bowl music venue.
Medical staff attended the scene and the injured man was taken to hospital with stab wounds. His condition is described as critical.
Thames Valley Police stated that they believe the attack was targeted and that there is no risk to festivalgoers or the wider public.
Police have also stated that they have taken a number of statements from witnesses and will be carrying out forensic examinations as well as CCTV enquiries. They also stated they would be working very closely with the event organisers and their security team.
If anyone who witnessed the assault or has any other information and hasn’t already spoken to a police officer, you can call 101, or visit our website, quoting investigation reference number 20240726-1285.
