Kent AI Best Practice Conference

Schedule

Thu Apr 30 2026 at 10:00 am to 03:15 pm

UTC+01:00

Location

Westgate Hall | Canterbury, EN

Advertisement
Join Social Enterprise Kent for the Kent AI Best Practice Conference at Westgate Hall in Canterbury on Thursday 30th April 2026.
About this Event

At this event, we will share learning from the Kent AI Skills Accelerator (KASA) programme, designed to help SMEs and VCSE organisations adopt AI tools confidently, safely and responsibly.


The conference also marks the official launch of the AI Best Practice Toolkit for SMEs, created through the KASA programme and funded by Kent County Council.


This event brings together businesses, communities and AI specialists to encourage collaboration, shared learning and long-term knowledge exchange across Kent. You’ll hear from programme partners, participating businesses, AI governance experts and policy leaders about what responsible AI adoption looks like in practice.


What you will learn

· How Kent SMEs and VCSEs are already using AI to improve efficiency

· The governance, legal and ethical issues organisations must understand

· Practical steps to reduce risk when adopting AI tools

· How to build AI literacy across your organisation

· Where AI fits into future business growth and resilience


Keynote Speaker

Associate Professor Jaspal Kaur Sadhu Singh.

Senior Lecturer in Law, Canterbury Christ Church University.


An international expert in AI governance and ethics, Jaspal advises governments on responsible AI policy and will explore the opportunities and risks SMEs must understand when adopting AI.


Who is this event for?

This event is ideal for:

  • SME business leaders
  • Social enterprises and VCSE organisations
  • Kent AI Skills Accelerator (KASA) participants
  • Business advisors and support organisations
  • Anyone interested in safe and effective AI adoption in business


Booking Information

Places are limited so reserve your free place today and be part of shaping how Kent businesses adopt AI safely and effectively.

We also have limited spaces for stall holders, please contact Heather Biddles at [email protected] if you would like to reserve a space. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.


About the Kent AI Skills Accelerator (KASA)

The Kent AI Skills Accelerator (KASA) has been developed to equip SMEs across Kent with the essential skills, knowledge and confidence to integrate artificial intelligence into their operations effectively, responsibly and safely.


Through training, practical tools and expert guidance, the programme supports organisations to:

  • Improve efficiency and productivity using AI tools
  • Navigate legal, ethical and governance challenges
  • Reduce risks associated with AI adoption
  • Build confidence and AI literacy within teams
  • Strengthen long-term business resilience through digital innovation


This conference shares the learning from the programme and launches the AI Best Practice Toolkit for SMEs, providing practical resources that any organisation can apply immediately.


The KASA programme has been made possible thanks to funding from Kent County Council's Helping Hands Scheme.


Agenda

🕑: 10:00 AM - 03:15 PM
Kent AI Best Practice Conference Agenda

Info: All timings are approximate and may be subject to change


🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Registration

Info: Tea and coffee will be provided


🕑: 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Welcome and opening remarks

Info: Rebecca Smith, Chief Executive, Social Enterprise Kent


🕑: 10:45 AM - 11:00 AM
Funder address

Info: Simon Sim, Project Manager, Financial Hardship Programme - Helping Hands, Strategy, Policy, Relationships & Corporate Assurance, Kent County Council


🕑: 11:00 AM - 11:15 AM
Programme learning and insights

Info: Rebecca Bradley, Founder, R People Ltd


🕑: 11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
Panel discussion - AI Best Practice

Info: Including Q & A


🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Lunch and Networking

Info: A light buffet lunch will be provided


🕑: 12:45 PM - 01:15 PM
Navigating the Challenges of AI: Opportunities for Governance and Oversight

Info: Keynote Speaker - Associate Professor Jaspal Kaur Sadhu Singh, School of Business, Law & Policing, Canterbury Christ Church University


🕑: 01:15 PM - 01:45 PM
Launch of the AI Best Practice Toolkit

Info: Rebecca Bradley, Founder, R People Ltd


🕑: 01:45 PM - 02:00 PM
Close and informal networking

Info: Rebecca Smith, Chief Executive, Social Enterprise Kent


🕑: 02:15 PM - 03:15 PM
Certificate presentation

Info: For students who have completed one of the KASA AI training courses.
The certificate presentation will take place during a dedicated session in the afternoon and will celebrate the commitment, learning and contribution of KASA participants from across Kent.


Advertisement

Where is it happening?

Westgate Hall, 3 Westgate Hall Road, Canterbury, United Kingdom

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

GBP 0.00

Icon
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Social Enterprise Kent CIC

Host or Publisher Social Enterprise Kent CIC

Ask AI if this event suits you:

Discover More Events in Canterbury

HI FI SPITFIRES
Thu, 30 Apr at 07:30 pm HI FI SPITFIRES

The Anchor at Wingham

FESTIVALS
In Conversation with Eleanor Bruce and Lucilla Gray - Canterbury
Fri, 01 May at 06:30 pm In Conversation with Eleanor Bruce and Lucilla Gray - Canterbury

Waterstones

MEETUPS
Live Music
Fri, 01 May at 07:00 pm Live Music

The Street, Ickham, Canterbury

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Bossingham 10 mile walk
Sat, 02 May at 10:00 am Bossingham 10 mile walk

Bossingham

TRIPS-ADVENTURES NONPROFIT
The Grove Ferry Inn, Canterbury
Sat, 02 May at 03:00 pm The Grove Ferry Inn, Canterbury

Grove Ferry Inn

PARTIES ENTERTAINMENT
Breakfast Meeting at The Kent and Canterbury Club - Speaker: Denise Kesson
Thu, 26 Feb at 08:00 am Breakfast Meeting at The Kent and Canterbury Club - Speaker: Denise Kesson

The Kent & Canterbury Club

MEETUPS
The Missing Lynx Project: Exploring the return of lynx
Thu, 26 Feb at 06:00 pm The Missing Lynx Project: Exploring the return of lynx

Grimond Building

Fruit Solutions Showcase 2026
Fri, 06 Mar at 11:00 am Fruit Solutions Showcase 2026

Woolton Farm

FOOD-DRINKS IT
Life and Death in late Roman Canterbury
Sat, 07 Mar at 11:00 am Life and Death in late Roman Canterbury

The Learning Lab, The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge

Lady Loretta Commemoration 2026  -  Polycarp\u2019s Bones: talk by James Harpur
Sat, 07 Mar at 07:00 pm Lady Loretta Commemoration 2026 - Polycarp’s Bones: talk by James Harpur

St. Stephen's Church, Canterbury

ART LITERARY-ART
Screen Talks - L'Atalante
Mon, 09 Mar at 06:00 pm Screen Talks - L'Atalante

Westgate Hall Road, CT1 2BT Canterbury, United Kingdom

The Future of Work - THE Student Conference 2026
Tue, 10 Mar at 10:00 am The Future of Work - THE Student Conference 2026

Augustine Hall

Annual DICE Lecture 2026 | Why we need to talk more about ecosystems
Fri, 13 Mar at 06:00 pm Annual DICE Lecture 2026 | Why we need to talk more about ecosystems

Templeman Library

ART THEATRE
Alistair Moffat: Along the Edge of Britain
Fri, 20 Mar at 05:45 pm Alistair Moffat: Along the Edge of Britain

Augustine House Library Canterbury Christ Church University

FESTIVALS ART
Daniel Hahn: Shakespeare in Translation
Sun, 22 Mar at 11:00 am Daniel Hahn: Shakespeare in Translation

Augustine House Library Canterbury Christ Church University

ART LITERARY-ART
Kent and Medway Black Health Inequalities Summit
Thu, 26 Mar at 09:00 am Kent and Medway Black Health Inequalities Summit

Sibson Building

BUSINESS HEALTH-WELLNESS
Ocular Emergencies! Join the EVR Team for a CPD evening on ocular emergency presentations!
Thu, 26 Mar at 07:00 pm Ocular Emergencies! Join the EVR Team for a CPD evening on ocular emergency presentations!

The Spitfire St. Lawrence Ground, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 3NZ

BarCamp Canterbury 2026
Sat, 11 Apr at 10:00 am BarCamp Canterbury 2026

Barton Court Grammar School

Kent AI Best Practice Conference
Thu, 30 Apr at 10:00 am Kent AI Best Practice Conference

Westgate Hall

BUSINESS CONFERENCES
BSides Kent 2026 | Community-Led Cybersecurity Conference
Fri, 08 May at 10:00 am BSides Kent 2026 | Community-Led Cybersecurity Conference

Curzon Canterbury Riverside

BUSINESS CONFERENCES

What's Happening Next in Canterbury?

Discover Canterbury Events