Hampshire's AI ecosystem accelerates this month with the region's most comprehensive SME training day at Southampton College on 16 February, while NHS trusts continue rolling out AI forecasting tools to emergency departments. As national healthcare AI regulation takes shape following MHRA's consultation, the region looks ahead to major March events: Winchester hosts the AI Arts Festival on 22 March, and Solent FutureScape debuts 24 March as the region's premier AI conference at Kings Conference Centre, Hedge End.
Top Picks
Mon 16 Feb - Southampton College
Southampton College AI for Solent Start-ups and Small Businesses (South Hampshire College Group)Full-day workshop with seven expert speakers delivering actionable AI strategies for local founders and SMEs.
23-27 Feb - Online & Multiple Locations
Portsmouth and South Coast Business Week (Hampshire Chamber of Commerce)
Week-long festival featuring AI, marketing, and sales workshops alongside networking events and business open doors.
Sun 22 Mar - University of Southampton
Winchester AI Arts Festival 2026 (AI@Southampton / Web Science Institute)
Daytime festival exploring AI and creative practice with installations, performances, and discussions across Theatre Royal Winchester and The Arc.
Tue 24 Mar - Kings Conference Centre
Hedge End Solent FutureScape 2026 (Solent Growth Partnership) Inaugural regional AI and technology conference with keynotes, panel discussions, demos, and 100+ exhibitors at Kings Conference Centre.
Full Event Listings (Feb-Mar 2026)
Date & Time | Event (Host) | Venue / City | Type | Cost | RSVP / Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wed 11 Feb, 09:30–12:30 | AI for Small Businesses Workshop (Test Valley Borough Council) | Crosfield Hall, Romsey | Workshop | Free | |
Thu 12 Feb, 10:00–16:00 | Ocean Village Innovation Centre Business Clinic (OVIC / Growth Hub) | Ocean Village Innovation Centre, Southampton | Business Support Clinic | Free | |
Mon 16 Feb, 08:45–17:30 | AI for Solent Start-ups and Small Businesses (South Hampshire College Group) | South Coast Institute of Technology for Digital - Southampton College, Southampton | Workshop | Free | |
Thu 19 Feb, 10:00–16:00 | Victory Business Centre Clinic (Hampshire Growth Hub) | Victory Business Centre, Portsmouth | Business Support Clinic | Free | |
Mon-Fri 23-27 Feb | Portsmouth and South Coast Business Week (Hampshire Chamber of Commerce) | Various venues across Portsmouth, Fareham, Gosport, Havant | Business Week Festival | Free | |
Thu 26 Feb, 9:30-15:00 | Fareham Business Expo (Fareham Borough Council / Everyone Active) | Fareham Leisure Centre, Fareham | Expo | Free | |
Sun 22 Mar, 11:00–22:00 | AI@Southampton AI Arts Festival (University of Southampton) | Theatre Royal Winchester & The Arc, Winchester | Festival | Free (day) / Ticketed (evening) | |
Tue 24 Mar, 09:00-15:00 | Solent FutureScape (Solent Growth Partnership) | King's Conference Centre, Southampton | Expo & Conference | TBC |
📰 Hampshire AI in the News
Hampshire AI marks first anniversary with autonomous mobility event Hampshire AI community celebrated one-year milestone on 27 January with 100 attendees at Axis Conference Centre exploring AI-driven autonomous systems, featuring speakers from SkyBound and industry discussing drone deployment, regulation, and trust in autonomous technology.
University Hospital Southampton in the UK is getting a new data center
As reported by the Daily Echo, the hospital has had plans for a new data center building approved by the local council. Plans for the project were first submitted in December 2025. The data center will be located at 89 Laundry Road, next to the hospital, which currently has a detached house on the property.
International AI Safety Report 2026 published
Second iteration of comprehensive global assessment of AI capabilities, risks, and safety measures released 3 February 2026, providing framework for international cooperation on AI governance as regulatory landscape evolves. Read More
Citations & Sources
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