From AI and immersive technologies to digital creativity and future skills, Bath Digital Festival 2026 once again showcased why Bath and North East Somerset is becoming one of the South West’s most exciting centres for digital innovation.
Held across the city from 19 to 21 May, this year’s festival brought together businesses, entrepreneurs, researchers, creatives and future talent under the theme of ‘What If?’ – encouraging participants to challenge assumptions, explore emerging technologies and imagine new possibilities for the future. The programme featured workshops, showcases, panel discussions and networking events designed to connect people and ideas across the region’s growing digital ecosystem.
But beyond the energy and excitement of the festival itself, the event highlighted something much bigger: the growing importance of the digital sector to the future prosperity of Bath and North East Somerset.
The recently published Strategic Economic Audit of the West of England identified digital technologies as one of the region’s key innovation strengths, alongside advanced manufacturing, life sciences and emerging deep-tech sectors. The audit found that the region benefits from strong productivity, world-class research institutions and a rapidly evolving innovation ecosystem that is helping drive growth and investment.
Bath is playing a significant role in that story.
With strengths in software development, creative technology, digital design, cybersecurity, data science and research-led innovation, the area continues to attract talented individuals, ambitious start-ups and growing businesses. The presence of leading universities, collaborative networks and events such as Bath Digital Festival helps create the conditions for innovation to flourish.
Importantly, the festival also shone a spotlight on skills and talent development. As businesses increasingly adopt new technologies and digital tools, ensuring local people have access to the skills needed for future careers will be essential. From students and graduates to experienced professionals looking to retrain, the digital economy offers opportunities for better work, higher-value jobs and long-term career progression.
The Economic Audit makes clear that future growth will depend not only on innovation, but on our ability to connect people to opportunity, support businesses to scale and ensure the benefits of growth are shared across communities. Events like Bath Digital Festival contribute to all three by bringing together employers, educators, entrepreneurs and residents to explore what the future could look like and how we can shape it together.
As Bath and North East Somerset looks to build a more resilient economy, the message from this year’s festival is clear: our digital sector is not just thriving, it is becoming one of the foundations of future prosperity. By continuing to invest in innovation, skills and collaboration, we can ensure that the ideas and connections sparked during Bath Digital Festival translate into stronger businesses, better jobs and sustainable growth for years to come.