What we learned at the BridgeAI Annual Showcase 2025!
On Monday 16th June a good chunk of the Etiq team got to exhibit at the 2025 BridgeAI Annual Showcase put on by our friends at InnovateUK.
The BridgeAI Annudal Showcase is where some of the country's most exciting AI-driven projects come together under one roof, showcasing over 40 funded success stories that demonstrate how AI is solving real-world challenges across industries like agriculture, creative sectors, construction, and transport.
What makes this showcase invaluable is the opportunity to connect directly with the people who matter. From Minister Feryal Clark and Innovate UK's Executive Chair Tom Adeyoola to the actual innovators and business leaders who've successfully implemented AI solutions.
There were some exclusive insights that could be gained through expert-led sessions, opportunities for collaboration with projects that are already making an impact and the ability to learn about the support and funding pathways available to accelerate your own AI initiatives.
We had the wonderful opportunity to join as an exhibitor and demo Etiq's Data Science Copilot. Lots of people are interested in how Etiq can accelerate their understanding of their data and code, such that they can build and debug ML and AI pipelines quickly.
We all had some great conversations and here's some of the things we learned:
The builders and founders out there are still finding industries and problems that are primed for AI - We had the good fortune to see and meet exhibitors looking to solve some really interesting unique problems. From sorting fabric based on composition through leverage vision AI, to detecting movements on smart materials at sub-second frequency it was amazing to see where reconceptualising problems can provide opportunities for entrepreneurs
The start-up culture in the UK is invigorating and energy levels high - The energy in the main exhibitor space was palpable, with everyone so excited to talk about what they do and looking to learn, understand and collaborate. I came away from the day tired, excited, and fizzing with ideas for the future.
People are still learning how far to take AI, what are the problem spaces that could benefit - There was such a variety of approaches to how you could leverage AI to remove pain and solve real problems. In some areas you could look over the solutions and raise an eyebrow on the implementation, but this is part of the excitement of this space. We don't know what the limits are and you need to push those limits to find where innovations can drive everyone forward.
We also got to welcome the newest member of Team Etiq, Lewis, and for his first day we asked him what he learned by immersing himself in the AI landscape.
"An exciting and memorable first day working for Etiq AI this week! I had the pleasure of attending Bridge AI's Annual Showcase. I had the chance to wander around and meet different exhibitors and attendees at the event. As a newcomer to this industry, I quickly realised the variety of applications and uses of AI, this was evident from the wide range of different AI related ideas and projects on display at the event. One exhibitor, Techworks, showed me their AI powered app that was able to decipher shorthand and other symbols. Another exhibitor had developed an app to help combat the Asian Hornet problem that exists in the UK. Additionally, Arvast were developing wearable glasses for the purpose of helping construction workers install and fit windows and doors more efficiently. I also attended a 'what it takes to adopt AI' talk in the great hall, which focused on the real world challenges of AI adoption and how we can try to adopt AI in a positive way."
A great day for the entire team and well done to the organisers on the day, the staff and facilities were great. We learned a lot, if you'd like to learn more about what we do at Etiq we have a free 28-day free trial of our Data Science Copilot or you can sign up to our monthly newsletter to hear about all things Etiq.
Roll on the showcase for 2026!
