Why place still matters in AI – and why the Suffolk Business Board has backed the National AI Awards from the start.
– Peter Brady, CEO, Orbital Global and VirtTuri
Artificial intelligence is no longer a niche technology discussed mainly in research labs or specialist circles. It is becoming a defining force across sectors, changing how organisations operate and how real-world problems are solved.
But amid all the discussion around AI, one important point can sometimes be overlooked: innovation is not only about technology. It is also about place.
That belief sits behind Suffolk’s ongoing support for the National AI Awards. In sponsoring the awards, we’re backing the creation of a trusted national platform that recognises excellence, showcases practical innovation, and brings together the people and organisations shaping the future of AI.
Hosting the Awards at Adastral Park in previous years has been an important part of that story. It demonstrates something we feel strongly about: world-class innovation does not only happen in a small number of major cities or established tech hubs.
With the right mix of expertise, infrastructure, ambition and collaboration, places across the UK can play a meaningful role in shaping the future of AI. Suffolk is a strong example of that potential.
Recognition matters more in AI than people often realise. In a fast-moving field crowded with promise, organisations are looking for trusted signals of credibility. Awards play an important role in highlighting what good looks like, in terms of both technical capability and social responsibility. That matters because confidence drives adoption.
Businesses are far more likely to explore new technologies when they can see proven examples of success. Investors and partners gain clearer visibility of where genuine progress is happening. And innovators themselves gain a platform to share ideas, attract collaboration and scale their work.
Our own approach in Suffolk has always been grounded in practical application.
Rather than viewing AI as a standalone sector, we see it as an enabling capability, strengthening areas where we already have momentum, expertise and economic opportunity. That includes clean energy, modern food systems, logistics, trade and digital infrastructure. In these sectors, AI is not an abstract future concept. It is increasingly becoming a practical tool for improving productivity, resilience and sustainability.
We are already seeing clear examples of this in Suffolk. My own company VirtTuri are developing AI-driven solutions with tangible healthcare applications. Our use of AI is applied, commercial and capable of delivering meaningful impact. And this is just one example among many across the county.
Events such as the National AI Awards, alongside initiatives like Suffolk’s AI Festival, help strengthen that wider ecosystem. They create opportunities to showcase innovation, connect businesses with researchers and policymakers, and spark the conversations and partnerships that often underpin future growth.
These platforms matter because innovation rarely happens in isolation. It grows where there are strong networks, shared ambition, access to expertise and environments that support experimentation and adoption.
Suffolk already has a strong foundation in digital and AI innovation, but we are clear-eyed that this is a long-term journey. In continuing to support the National AI Awards, we are maintaining our focus on recognising achievement, encouraging wider adoption, and ensuring innovation translates into real-world economic and social value.
AI will continue to evolve rapidly. Its influence across industries and communities will only deepen. Our ambition is to ensure that places like Suffolk are helping to shape that change.